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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Dawson, Georgia » National Peanut Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #196203
Title: Furrow Diking for Improved Water Use Efficiency

Author
item Nuti, Russell
item Sorensen, Ronald - Ron
item Faircloth, Wilson
item Lamb, Marshall

Submitted to: American Peanut Research and Education Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/30/2006
Publication Date: 7/12/2006
Citation: Nuti, R.C., Sorensen, R.B., Faircloth, W.H., Lamb, M.C. 2006. Furrow Diking for Improved Water Use Efficiency. American Peanut Research and Education Society Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary: None required

Technical Abstract: Water is the single most limiting resource in crop production. Irrigation improves production stability, but it’s efficiency can always be improved upon. In traditional rainfed regions, water capture is essential for maintaining soil moisture levels to support crop growth. Furrow diking is a tillage operation that creates a series of basins and dams in the furrow to catch and absorb water delivered by either rainfall or irrigation. A series of field experiments was initiated in 2005 near Dawson, Georgia using furrow dikes in irrigated and non-irrigated peanut, cotton, and corn. The objectives included monitoring soil moisture levels to determine if water can be saved in irrigated systems with furrow dikes compared to those in conventionally tilled systems. In non-irrigated experiments, yield and quality parameters were monitored to determine any benefit to furrow dikes. The growing season of 2005 had abundant moisture. Peanut and cotton crops required only one irrigation. Furrow diked corn received 3 irrigations and non-diked corn required 5 irrigations. Despite abundant rainfall, higher levels of soil moisture were maintained in plots with furrow dikes compared to conventional plots. Similar yields were attained regardless of furrow diking. No detrimental effects such as water-logging or digging losses in peanut were observed with furrow dikes.