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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #266853
Title: Educational enhancements to the Texas High Plains Evapotranspiration (ET) network

Author
item MAREK, THOMAS - Texas Agrilife Research
item PORTER, DANA - Texas Agrilife Research
item KENNY, NICHOLAS - Texas Agrilife Extension
item Gowda, Prasanna
item Howell, Terry
item MOORHEAD, JERRY - Texas Agrilife Research

Submitted to: Experiment Station Bulletins
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2011
Publication Date: 2/25/2011
Citation: Marek, T.H., Porter, D.P., Kenny, N., Gowda, P., Howell, T.A., Moorhead, J.E. 2011. Educational enhancements to the Texas High Plains Evapotranspiration (ET) network. AREC 2011-8, 33 p.

Interpretive Summary: The Texas High Plains is one of the most intensively irrigated regions in the United States. Research has shown that over-irrigation reduces crop yields. The use of irrigation scheduling tools has generally proven to be effective in preventing the over application of irrigation water to crops. In this study, we developed an irrigation scheduling and management tool for water management on large acreage, multiple field irrigated farms, particularly those in the Texas High Plains. Multiple educational videos were also developed on irrigation management for general audiences as well as experienced irrigation personnel.

Technical Abstract: In this study, an irrigation scheduling and management tool was developed for addressing large acreage and multiple field irrigated farms, particularly those in the Texas High Plains where the declining Ogallala Aquifer is the primary source of irrigation water. This tool, while providing in-season evapotranspiration (ET) use data, can also be used as a planning tool for evaluating alternative water management production strategies and scenarios. A simplified, stand-alone version of the tool representing a single field, with a well watered condition status, irrigation scheduler was also developed in Microsoft Excel for use in the Windows operating system environment. Multiple videos were developed to support educational efforts in irrigation water management for general audiences, as well as experienced irrigation personnel. The videos included addressing the reasons irrigation is needed and practiced, the profitability of irrigated crop production, the importance of correct soil moisture measurement in irrigation scheduling, the potential of limited irrigation production and the value of irrigation and research in agricultural production.