The implications of soil water availability on the growth of Hamlin variety orange trees were studied in a tableland topsequence in Bahia State. The topsequence consisted of a Podzolic Yellow Latosol, a Yellow Podzolic, and a Gray Podzolic. Soil samples were analyzed for texture and selected soil chemical characteristics. Rainfall data were also collected during the period of the study. Soil water content was measured weekly using a neutron probe to estimate water storage and water availability. Average values of available water were higher for the Gray Podzolic, up to the depth of 1.50 m, than for Podzolic Yellow Latosol which, in turn, was superior to the Yellow Podzolic. The plants growing under Yellow Podzolic and Podzolic Yellow Latosol had no available water for 20 and 10 weeks, respectively, at all evaluated depths. The plants growing under Gray Podzolic had no available water for 11 weeks up to 0.90 m depth. In accordance with the water availability, the plants growing on the Gray Podzolic had better growth than those growing on the other soils. There was no difference between the plants growing on the Podzolic Yellow Latosol and the Yellow Podzolic.
water storage; available water; Podzolic Yellow Latosol; Yellow Podzolic; Gray Podzolic