Benefits and Limitations of Available Technologies for Irrigation Scheduling in Agronomic Crops

Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2014: $69,167.00
Projected End Date: 03/31/2018
Region: Southern
State: Louisiana
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Stacia Davis
LSU AgCenter
Description:
Irrigation of field crops traditionally was centralized in arid regions of the United States. Over time, the benefits of irrigation over dryland production systems in humid regions were realized and resulted in a 534 percent increase in irrigated acreage in Louisiana alone since 1959. Acreage of crops that require irrigation to stabilize yield, such as corn and soybeans, also have increased in recent years, resulting in an increased need for supplemental irrigation during critical growth periods. Adding irrigation capacity to any agronomic production system is a large financial investment, which includes upfront costs for equipment and installation and ongoing costs such as fuel, maintenance and labor. It is critical to strive for high levels of irrigation efficiency to continue to have sustainable and profitable water resource applications. Irrigation scheduling using the soil water balance or through direct measurements of soil moisture are two strategies for efficient irrigation.
Type:
Fact Sheet
File:
Author:
Stacia Davis, LSU AgCenter
Target audiences:
Farmers/Ranchers; Educators; Consumers
This product is associated with the project "Sustainable Row Crop Irrigation Management in Louisiana"
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.