Prune/Plum
ValidatedPerformance
Excellent. Recommended for commercial use. Sensor data generally matches the pressure chamber. Thoroughly validated and used commercially.
Installation Tips
- Install after leaf out, on a 2” branch. Installation into main trunk can be difficult if the bark is thick. Big and small sensors can work well.
- Sensors should be reinstalled after the winter, otherwise measured SWP will read too wet.
Known Issues
- Sensor install site can get blocked and sensor will read too wet, with little to no diurnal pattern. Reinstall.
- Sensors can get disconnected from xylem due to breaks in the mating compound. The sensors will then read very negative values during hot part of day. Reinstall.
- Very old or diseased prune trees will sometimes give nonsensical data, such as reading the lowest SWP at night. If this happens, sensors should be installed in a different tree.
Data & Validation
Prune sensor data showing typical SWP patterns
References
- Using the Pressure Chamber for Irrigation Management in Walnut, Almond, and Prune