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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #258066
Title: Evapotranspiration of irrigated sunflower in a semi-arid environment

Author
item Howell, Terry
item Evett, Steven - Steve
item Tolk, Judy
item Copeland, Karen

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/28/2010
Publication Date: 10/31/2010
Citation: Howell, T.A., Evett, S.R., Tolk, J.A., Copeland, K.S. 2010. Evapotranspiration of irrigated sunflower in a semi-arid environment [abstract]. In: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts, October 31-November 4, 2010, Long Beach, California. Paper No. 123-7. 2010 CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an alternative crop for the Southern High Plains typically produced under dryland; however irrigation offers greater potential for enhanced productivity and quality. Sunflower [cv, S 672 NuSun (Triumph Dwarf)] was grown in 2009 at Bushland, Texas, on two 4.2 ha fields each containing a precision weighing lysimeter ( 3 m by 3 m by 2.3 m deep, monolith) containing Pullman clay loam soil (fine, mixed, superactive, thermic Torrertic Paleustoll) on fields with slopes less than approximately 0.3% that were sprinkler irrigated. Water use was determined by lysimeter water budgets. Crop development was measured with periodic (about 14 d interval) field plant samples for height, width, leaf area index, and total biomass. Final plant harvests determined dry matter, Achene numbers per head and mass, and seed soil quality. Results on water use (evapotranspiration), yield, yield components, oil quality, and water use efficiency will be presented.