The measurement of water used by plants is a decisive factor for calculation of irrigation rates, and generally the need of irrigation. Quantity, intensity and seasonal distribution of precipitation have an indubitable impact on soil moisture. Precipitation water could be used by plants only when percolates into soil and is retained as capillary water. Unfortunately, in case of excessive amount or intensity of rain, part of water percolates below the root system range or runs off at soil surface. During three years of experiment (1995-1997) quantity and intensity of precipitation were observed and weekly measurements of soil moisture at different orchard layouts were done. On the basis of collected data, the analyses of impact of quantity and intensity of precipitation on soil moisture changes in orchard were conducted. The results indicate low efficiency of small rains (smaller than daily potential evapotranspiration). Relatively small efficiency was found also for stormy rains, whose contribution to the total amount of precipitation during vegetative period was from 20 % up to 36 %. Efficiency of precipitation depended also on initial soil moisture, which was the reason of high differences in influence of precipitation amounts on changes of water content in soil profile in irrigated and non-irrigated orchards.