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In this thesis, an analysis of the physical environment and water use in a commercial orchard located in Caspe (Zaragoza) is presented. The climate, crops and irrigation structures in the orchard were characterised along with the spatial variability of selected soil physical properties related to irrigation. Crop water requirements were determined in the Caspe region under standard conditions and regulated deficit irrigation for the study years (2005-2007). Irrigation water use in the orchard was analyzed for these years and for the different crops and crop cycles. Finally, the variability of meteorological variables in the orchard was characterized using two agrometeorological weather stations and the effect of meteorology on crop water requirements was assessed. The orchard was characterized by a large variability in soil physical properties. Regulated deficit irrigation resulted in relevant water savings compared to standard irrigation. An evolution towards deficit irrigation is suggested. Significant differences were observed in wind speed between the two agrometeorological stations. These differences in wind speed resulted in differences in reference evapotranspiration of 22 per cent. Deficit irrigation is currently being used in the orchard, not always following the rules established for regulated deficit irrigation. Water planning in the orchard will have to take into account the detected spatial variability in crop water requirements

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