Water Production Function For Central Plains Crops

Authors: Trout, Thomas; Bausch, Walter

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/16/2012
Publication Date: 2/28/2012
Citation: Trout, T.J., Bausch, W.C. 2012. Water Production Function For Central Plains Crops. Proceedings of the 24th Annual Central Plains Irrigation Conference, Colby, Kansas, February 21-22, 2012 Available from CPIA, 760 N.Thompson, Colby, Kansas

Interpretive Summary: Irrigation water supplies will diminish in the great plains due to increasing urban and environmental needs and declining supplies. Sustaining irrigated agriculture with limited water supplies requires maximizing productivity per unit of water. Relationships between crop production and water consumed are basic information required to maximize productivity. This information can be used to determine if deficit irrigation is economically desirable and how to best manage limited water supplies. Field trials of corn, sunflower, dry bean, and wheat production with six levels of water application were used to develop water production functions based on consumptive use and to better understand water timing effects and crop responses to stress. Initial results indicate linear relationships between yield and crop ET. The field data are being used to improve and validate crop models so they can be used to generalize the field results for other climate and soil characteristics. These results will help maximize productivity and sustain irrigated agriculture.

Technical Abstract: Sustaining irrigated agriculture with limited water supplies requires maximizing productivity per unit of water. Relationships between crop production and water consumed are basic information required to maximize productivity. This information can be used to determine if deficit irrigation is economically desirable and how to best manage limited water supplies. Field trials of corn, sunflower, dry bean, and wheat production with six levels of water application were used to develop water production functions based on consumptive use and to better understand water timing effects and crop responses to stress. Initial results indicate linear relationships between yield and crop ET. The field data are being used to improve and validate crop models so they can be used to generalize the field results for other climate and soil characteristics.