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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Water Management and Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #349024
Research Project: Improving the Sustainability of Irrigated Farming Systems in Semi-Arid Regions

Location: Water Management and Systems Research

Title: Investigating deficit irrigation as a climate-smart farming option

Author
item Flynn, Nora
item Comas, Louise
item LURBE, SALVADOR - Colorado State University
item MANNING, DALE - Colorado State University
item FONTE, STEVE - Colorado State University

Submitted to: Colorado Water Magazine
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/20/2017
Publication Date: 9/1/2017
Citation: Flynn, N.E., Comas, L.H., Lurbe, S., Manning, D., Fonte, S. 2017. Investigating deficit irrigation as a climate-smart farming option. Colorado Water Magazine. PP 22-25.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Global water supplies available for irrigation are declining while food demand continues to rise. Deficit irrigation offers a promising strategy to reduce water use with minimal impacts to yields, but is likely to have a range of impacts on soil nutrient cycling processes and climate change mitigation potential. To address this issue, we examined deficit irrigation effects on microbial communities, C and N cycling and greenhouse gas emissions. With a focus on sustainability and economic feasibility, deficit irrigation was investigated as an opportunity for farmers to meet the growing challenges of irrigated agriculture.