Project Plan

Managing Deficit Sprinkler Irrigation for Sunflower Production     

In the News

Irrigation Systems Priority Area Accomplishments for 2011   Annual accomplishment statements for this priority in 2011 are reported herein.   

Irrigation Systems Priority Area Accomplishments for 2010   Annual accomplishment statements for this priority area in 2010 are reported herein.   

Irrigation Technology Area Accomplishments for 2009   Annual accomplishment statements of this priority area are reported herein.  

Irrigation Technology Area Accomplishments for 2008   Annual accomplishment statements of this priority area are reported herein.  

Irrigation Technology Area Accomplishments for 2007   Annual accomplishment statements of this priority area are reported herein.  

Final Reports

Field Scale Subsurface Drip Irrigation Interval Effects on Cotton Production   A three-year study showed subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) at 7-day intervals did not reduce cotton lint yields compared to 0.25- and 2-day applications. Longer SDI intervals could simplify irrigation systems thereby lowering initial cost without causing production problems.  

Cross Cutting Soil Water Sensing System   A waveguide-on-access-tube (WOAT) system for measuring soil water content and bulk electrical conductivity to user-chosen depths in 0.2-m increments using time domain reflectometry (TDR) was invented, tested in the laboratory and field with positive results, and a patent application submitted.  

Performance evaluation of pressure regulated in-canopy center pivot nozzle packages   Pressure regulators selected from older center pivot nozzle packages at third and last spans performed well under test conditions. The pressure regulators for an entire system were also tested; a number of regulators located near the pivot point were not functioning properly.   

Sensors to improve irrigation system technology and water use efficiency   A reliable and economical wireless infrared thermometer can be developed from off-the-shelf components. Normalized vegetative indices calculated from wireless multi-band prototypes were useful in distinguishing between soil and vegetation which will aid in irrigation automation.  

Sensors to improve irrigation systems and water use efficiency   Two wireless sensors, a narrow field-of-view infrared thermometer and a multi-band radiometer, were designed and tested. The infrared temperature measurements were consistent with those from a known target and data from the stationary radiometers were used to distinguish between soil and vegetation.