Water Management Strategies and Yield Response in Pecan Orchards: A Comparative Analysis of Irrigation Systems

Although substantial research has been conducted on pecan cultivation, studies that account for variability in farm scale, from small to large commercial operations, are still needed. To address this gap, the primary objective of the present study was to quantify and compare groundwater recharge rates and crop yield in pecan orchards utilizing different irrigation systems. This investigation employed in-orchard water budget measurements combined with analytical water balance models to facilitate comparative analysis between orchard sizes. The study tested the hypothesis that groundwater recharge rates vary significantly with farm scale, with larger commercial orchards exhibiting higher recharge rates than their small-scale counterparts. Analysis of 2021–2023 irrigation data revealed significant variability in deep percolation (DP) as a percentage of total water applied (TWA) across orchard sites, ranging from 0% to 52%, with P1 exhibiting the highest recharge and yield, while P2 had the lowest due to limited irrigation. ANOVA revealed significant differences in DP and yield among sites, with P1 outperforming the others. CWP averaged 0.33 kg/m3 but varied considerably by site (0.12–0.42 kg/m3). The results showed significant variability in DP, highlighting its dependence on management practices. These findings emphasize the critical role of site-specific irrigation strategies in optimizing productivity.