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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #358227
Title: Engaging farmers to increase adoption of precision irrigation practices in Alabama

Author
item ORTIZ, BRENDA - Auburn University
item MORATA, GUILHERME - Auburn University
item BONDESAN, LUCA - Auburn University
item JIMENEZ, ANDRE - University Of Colombia
item LAMBA, JASMEET - Auburn University
item SRIVASTAVA, PUNEET - Auburn University
item GOODRICH, BRITTNEY - Auburn University
item Balkcom, Kipling
item DAVIS, DEDRICK - Alabama A & M University
item VELLIDIS, GEORGE - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/31/2018
Publication Date: 11/4/2018
Citation: Ortiz, B.V., Morata, G., Bondesan, L.L., Jimenez, A.F., Lamba, J., Srivastava, P., Goodrich, B., Balkcom, K.S., Davis, D., Vellidis, G. 2018. Engaging farmers to increase adoption of precision irrigation practices in Alabama [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Irrigation adoption in Alabama is increasing but this rapid adoption has not always resulted in crop yield benefits or water savings. The challenges farmers in Alabama, Tennessee and other southeastern states face are the lack of irrigation water management training/experience and the low adoption rate of the state-of-the-art technologies and practices that increase irrigation water use efficiency. A NRCS funded project has been initiated with farmers in North and South Alabama to demonstrate practices of sensor-based irrigation scheduling and variable rate irritation. The four demonstration sites are representing different irrigation scenarios which can be used to discuss how better to manage irrigation water. At each site we are comparing the irrigation farmer’s practices versus the technology-based practice. Four farmers focus groups have been established at each demonstration site to train farmers and consultants and share project findings.