Z-Lab

Z-Lab Orchard Analytics

Free science-based tools for California almond, pistachio, and walnut growers.
Developed and maintained by the Zwieniecki Lab, UC Davis Plant Sciences. The research behind each tool is a collaborative effort — see individual tools for contributor details.

Active Tools

PISA
Proactive Irrigation Scheduler
Proactive Irrigation Scheduling Assistant — Mediterranean, Arid & Temperate

Satellite-based irrigation scheduling for orchards worldwide in Mediterranean, arid, transitional, and temperate climates. Uses Google Earth Engine to estimate evapotranspiration, rainfall, canopy size, and soil water capacity. Supports almond, pistachio, walnut, and custom crop phenology.

✓ Live Open tool →
PISA
Proactive Irrigation Scheduler
Proactive Irrigation Scheduling Assistant — Monsoon & Tropical

Satellite-based irrigation scheduling for monsoon and tropical climates where rain falls in the warm season and irrigation is needed during the dry season. Uses the same GEE-powered model as PISA for arid climates, with inverted season logic. Supports any crop with user-defined phenology.

✓ Live Open tool →
Carb-Obs
Carbohydrate Observatory
California Carbohydrate Observatory

Statewide monitoring of non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations in almond, pistachio, and walnut orchards. Compare individual farms to seasonal state averages and percentile ranges.

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OBTA
Bloom Time Analytics
Orchard Bloom Time Analytics

Prediction of bloom timing based on the Carbohydrate-Temperature model and winter chill accumulation. Supports almond, pistachio, and walnut orchards in most climates and growing regions worldwide.

✓ Live Open tool →
OYPT
Orchard Yield Prediction
Orchard Yield Prediction Tool — Almonds

Predict almond orchard yield using satellite remote sensing and proprietary modeling. Works for almond orchards worldwide. Trained and validated on California Central Valley data.

This tool is an independent research product. It is not sanctioned by, affiliated with, or endorsed by the Almond Board of California.

✓ Live Open tool →
⚠ Research tools — use at your own risk. These tools are provided for research and educational purposes by the UC Davis Z-Lab to support growers and their advisors. Results are based on scientific models and should not be used as the sole basis for management decisions.

Current Benefactors

If you find these tools useful and would like to support continued development, please contact Prof. Zwieniecki before donating to the lab. We appreciate your interest in supporting science-based orchard management tools.

Almonds
Almond Benefactors
>$10,000 / year
Walnuts
Walnut Benefactors
>$1,000 / year
Peanuts
Peanut Benefactors
Any amount / year