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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Parlier, California » San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center » Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #146108
Title: IRRIGATION STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY OF VEGETABLE CROPS IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY.

Author
item Bryla, David
item Sefton, Richard
item SOPPE, RICHARD - USDA, ARS
item Gartung, Jimmie
item Trout, Thomas
item Ayars, James

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/2/2002
Publication Date: 11/10/2002
Citation: BRYLA, D.R., SEFTON, R.K., SOPPE, R., GARTUNG, J.L., TROUT, T.J., AYARS, J.E. 2002. IRRIGATION STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY AND WATER USE EFFICIENCY OF VEGETABLE CROPS IN THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY.. ASA-CSSA-SSSA PROCEEDINGS.

Interpretive Summary: Vegetable crops are often over irrigated because they are relatively sensitive to water stress (which reduces yield) and good information on the water requirements of many of these crops is lacking. In an effort to increase irrigation efficiency, limit crop water use, and maximize yield of vegetable crops grown on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, a project was planned to 1) determine water requirements and develop seasonal crop coefficients for a variety of vegetable crops, including broccoli, garlic, lettuce, onion and pepper, and 2) evaluate various irrigation systems, including furrow, drip and subsurface drip systems, for production of the crops. The first crop chosen for study was broccoli, which was planted in August 2002. Irrigation management strategies that optimize timing and placement of water and nutrients, increase crop productivity, and limit irrigation drainage and deep percolation were identified. Results of the project will provide important information to California farmers for selecting irrigation systems and management strategies that increase profitability of growing vegetable crops in the region.

Technical Abstract: Vegetable crops are often over irrigated because they are relatively sensitive to water stress (which reduces yield) and good information on the water requirements of many of these crops is lacking. In an effort to increase irrigation efficiency, limit crop water use, and maximize yield of vegetable crops grown on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, a project was planned to 1) determine water requirements and develop seasonal crop coefficients for a variety of vegetable crops, including broccoli, garlic, lettuce, onion and pepper, and 2) evaluate various irrigation systems, including furrow, drip and subsurface drip systems, for production of the crops. The first crop chosen for study was broccoli, which was planted in August 2002. Irrigation management strategies that optimize timing and placement of water and nutrients, increase crop productivity, and limit irrigation drainage and deep percolation were identified. Results of the project will provide important information to California farmers for selecting irrigation systems and management strategies that increase profitability of growing vegetable crops in the region.