Citrus is grown in approximately 27,000 acres in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), Texas with the majority of it under flood irrigation. Due to rapid urban development, periodic droughts and decreasing water flows along the Rio Grande River, the semi arid conditions of South Texas commonly results in rapid decline in irrigation water supplies. Many crops in the LRGV, such as citrus, are typically flood irrigated, but the several locations have high clay content leading to water logged soils. This can create a relatively short-term anaerobic soil environment that is unfavorable for efficient root growth and development. Because of limited water supplies and concerns with improved citrus tree health, alternative irrigation strategies are being sought to increase the irrigation use efficiency, enhance plant growth and sustain citrus crop production. A field experiment was conducted from 2003 to 2005, at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Citrus Center located in Weslaco, Texas. In this study, 17 year old Rio Red grapefruit trees (Citrus paradisi Macfad) received compost and non compost treatments and were compared using drip and micro-jet spray irrigation systems. It was found that after one year of compost application, a trend of higher crop production was observed in composted trees compared to non-composted trees in both irrigation systems in 2004 and 2005 harvest years. Root density was found to increase significantly more under composted than non-composted tree canopies, and a more uniform root growth proliferation under microjet spray than drip irrigated systems. This led to improved soil nutrient and water uptake subsequently leading to improved yields. This suggests that annual compost application under low water use systems may be ideal for improving citrus yields over long term.