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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Dawson, Georgia » National Peanut Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #257981
Title: Furrow diking and the economic water use efficiency of irrigated cotton in the southeast United States

Author
item Nuti, Russell
item Truman, Clinton
item Krutz, Larry
item Sorensen, Ronald - Ron
item Lamb, Marshall

Submitted to: Water Resources Management
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2010
Publication Date: 5/1/2011
Citation: Nuti, R.C., Truman, C.C., Krutz, L.J., Sorensen, R.B., Lamb, M.C. 2011. Furrow diking and the economic water use efficiency of irrigated cotton in the southeast United States. 6th International Conference on Sustainable Water Resources Management, (eds.) C. A. Brebbia & V. Popov, May 23-25, Riverside CA. WIT Transactions. p. 285-293.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton production in the Southeast United States can be limited by periodic drought. Irrigation and furrow diking tillage may improve economic yield and water use efficiency of cotton. Timing of rainfall may interfere with the efficiency of irrigation. Field studies were conducted during 2001 to 2010 near Shellman, Georgia to examine four irrigation rates based on Irrigator Pro for Cotton consisting of 100, 66, 33, and 0%. The objectives were to determine the value of irrigation and the economic water use efficiency of irrigation among irrigation rates over years. In all but 2003, irrigation improved yield. Years with average or below average rainfall had incrementally higher yields as irrigation rate increased except for 2007. Water use efficiency for irrigation was highest for the 33% rate in 2001 and 2002 and higher in 2004 and 2007 for the 66% rate. In severe drought years, the 33% rate did not sufficiently relieve drought stress. Irrigation provided profit in all but one year of the study. Although 100% irrigation is not the most efficient irrigation level, it often provides the most economic return. Furrow diking improved yield and water use efficiency in 3 of 6 years tested.

Technical Abstract: Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in the Southeast United States can be limited by periodic drought. Irrigation and furrow diking tillage may improve economic yield and water use efficiency of cotton. Timing of rainfall may interfere with the efficiency of irrigation. Field studies were conducted during 2001 to 2010 near Shellman, Georgia to examine four irrigation rates based on Irrigator Pro for Cotton consisting of 100, 66, 33, and 0%. The objectives were to determine the value of irrigation and the economic water use efficiency of irrigation among irrigation rates over years. In-season rainfall ranged from 270 to 760 mm and irrigation volume ranged from 110 to 455 mm. Total water applied (rainfall + irrigation) ranged between 560 and 870 mm. In all but 2003, irrigation improved yield by 247-645 kg lint ha-1. Years with average or below average rainfall had incrementally higher yields as irrigation rate increased except for 2007. Water use efficiency for irrigation was highest for the 33% rate in 2001 and 2002 and higher in 2004 and 2007 for the 66% rate. In severe drought years, the 33% rate did not sufficiently relieve drought stress. Irrigation provided profit in all but one year of the study. Although 100% irrigation is not the most efficient irrigation level, it often provides the most economic return. Furrow diking improved yield and water use efficiency in 3 of 6 years tested.