Feasibility of moderate deficit irrigation as a water conservation tool in California’s Low Desert alfalfa

Authors: MONTAZAR, ALI - University Of California - Cooperative Extension Service; BACHIE, OLI - University Of California - Cooperative Extension Service; Corwin, Dennis; PUTNAM, DANIEL - University Of California, Davis

Submitted to: Agronomy
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/22/2020
Publication Date: 10/24/2020
Citation: Montazar, A., Bachie, O., Corwin, D.L., Putnam, D. 2020. Feasibility of moderate deficit irrigation as a water conservation tool in California’s low desert alfalfa. Agronomy. 10(11). Article 1640. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111640.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111640

Interpretive Summary: a) Problem Statement In water-scarce agricultural areas such as the productive San Joaquin, Imperial, and Coachella Valleys of California, irrigation management practices that reduce water use with acceptable impacts on yield are important strategies to cope with diminished water supplies and to generate new sources of water to transfer for other agricultural uses, and urban and environmental demands. b) Accomplishment This study found that moderate water deficits could maintain robust alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yields while conserving on-farm water. Salinity assessment indicated that salt buildup could be managed with subsequent normal irrigation practices, following deficit irrigations, thereby maintaining robust alfalfa yields. Stand density was not affected by these moderate water deficits. The proposed deficit irrigation strategies provided sufficient water to maintain alfalfa yield while conserving water (83 to 314 mm). c) Contribution The accomplishments of this work will benefit growers, agricultural consultants, irrigation specialists, agricultural technology industry, agronomists, cooperative extension specialists, and soil scientists by providing a deficit irrigation strategy that provides sufficient water to maintain alfalfa yield in water-scarce agricultural areas while conserving water.

Technical Abstract: Irrigation management practices that reduce water use with acceptable impacts on yield are important strategies to cope with diminished water supplies and generate new sources of water to transfer for other agricultural uses, and urban and environmental demands. This study was intended to assess the effects of moderate water deficits, with the goal of maintaining robust alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yields, while conserving on-farm water. Data collection and analysis were conducted at four commercial fields over an 18-month period in the Palo Verde Valley, California, from 2018–2020. A range of deficit irrigation strategies, applying 12.5–33% less irrigation water than farmers’ normal irrigation practices was evaluated, by eliminating one to three irrigation events during selected summer periods. The cumulative actual evapotranspiration measured using the residual of energy balance method across the experimental sites, ranged between 2,031 mm and 2.202 mm, over a 517-day period. An average of 1.7 and 1.0 Mg ha-1 dry matter yield reduction was observed under 33% and 22% less applied water, respectively, when compared to the farmers’ normal irrigation practice in silty loam soils. The mean dry matter yield decline varied from 0.4 to 0.9 Mg ha-1 in a clay soil and from 0.3 to 1.0 Mg ha-1 in a sandy loam soil, when irrigation water supply was reduced to 12.5% and 25% of normal irrigation levels, respectively. A wide range of conserved water (83 to 314 mm) was achieved following the deficit irrigation strategies. Salinity assessment indicated that salt buildup could be managed with subsequent normal irrigation practices, following deficit irrigations. Continuous soil moisture sensing verified that soil moisture was moderately depleted under deficit irrigation regimes, suggesting that farmers might confidently refill the soil profile following normal practices. Stand density was not affected by these moderate water deficits. The proposed deficit irrigation strategies could provide a reliable amount of water and sustain the economic viability of alfalfa production. However, data from multiple seasons are required to fully understand the effectiveness as a water conservation tool and the long-term impacts on the resilience of agricultural systems.