Winter flooding recharges groundwater in almond orchards with limited effects on root dynamics and yield

California signed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) into law in 2014. SGMA requires groundwater-dependent regions to halt overdraft and develop plans reach an annual balance of pumping recharge. aquifers can be recharged by flooding agricultural fields when fallow, but this has not been option for perennial crops such as fruit nut trees. While these might possible during dormant season, it is known what impact have on tree-root systems, health yield. We followed root production, tree water status yield two almond orchards Northern 2 years test applying captured winter runoff groundwater recharge purposes performance. Results showed that more than 90% applied sandy soil 80% loamy percolated past zones, with no measured adverse effects status, canopy development or did negatively affect new production tended extend lifespan. Based upon data, additional late December January likely negative impacts moderately drained well-drained soils.