Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Dawson, Georgia » National Peanut Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #137818
Title: COMPARING IRRIGATION LEVELS FOR CONVENTIONAL AND CONSERVATION TILLAGE SYSTEMS

Author
item Balkcom, Kipling
item Rowland, Diane
item Lamb, Marshall

Submitted to: American Peanut Research and Education Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2002
Publication Date: 3/1/2003
Citation: Balkcom, K.S., Rowland, D., Lamb, M.C. 2003. Comparing irrigation levels for conventional and conservation tillage systems. American Peanut Research and Education Society Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary: Not needed for "abstract only"

Technical Abstract: Tillage practices, that conserve moisture, may reduce irrigation frequency and/or amounts, which will benefit rural and urban residents as water issues become more prevalent across the U.S. Information is limited on how much water growers can conserve by utilizing conservation tillage systems. A study will be initiated this year to compare optimal amounts of water to maximize yields and profits of selected crops for conventional and conservation tillage systems. Three replications of conventional tillage, no tillage, and strip tillage plots will be randomly assigned under a three span lateral irrigation system in conjunction with a dryland control for a peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) rotation on approximately 4 ha located near Dawson, GA. Planned measurements include yield and quality data for each crop, soil moisture and temperature measurements across the site, and intensive water use measurements in peanut. This experimental design will help quantify how much water a grower can conserve by utilizing conservation tillage practices compared to conventional tillage practices. Possible increased water savings from conservation tillage systems should provide incentives to growers to utilize these tillage practices, which may lower production costs associated with irrigation.