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Using the "SCS-Scheduler" irrigation program, a Texas farmer raised
corn, sorghum and wheat yields by at least 25 percent over county averages
in a three-year ARS-sponsored test. For example, in 1993,
Scheduler-irrigated corn yielded an average of 199 bushels an acre,
compared to that year's county average of 157 bushels--an increase of 27
percent. The computer program uses temperature and other data collected
from field weather stations to predict the need for irrigating--even
before plants show visible damage. It was developed jointly by ARS and by
USDA's Natural Resources
Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service). Another
benefit: in June 1992, the Scheduler alerted scientists that prolonged hot
weather had speeded up corn growth, requiring an earlier than usual
irrigation to save yields.
Water Management
Research, Bushland, TX
Terry Howell, (806) 356-5775
Average annual soil loss can be predicted more accurately using a new
weather generator program along with the Water Erosion Prediction Project
(WEPP). The WEPP program for predicting erosion at a given location
is sensitive to local weather conditions. Although this feature has
advantages in certain situations, it causes problems when trying to
determine erosion trends over a large area because weather data are
available only at a limited number of sites. ARS scientists developed a
program that, when used with WEPP and the weather generator model Climate
Generator (CLIGEN), gives accurate predictions of erosion trends over
large geographic areas. CLIGEN was developed by ARS scientists at the
same time as WEPP. CLIGEN averages climate parameters of the station
under consideration with the parameters of the surrounding stations.
Results from ARS computer simulation studies, using National Weather
Service data and the CLIGEN model were consistent with those obtained
using other prediction tools like the Revised Universal Soil Loss
Equation. This new procedure allows the user to take advantage of WEPP's
flexibility over other prediction tools to determine regional trends that
are independent of local weather characteristics. The CLIGEN model is now available
as part of WEPP as well as on the Internet.
National Soil Erosion
Research Laboratory, West Lafayette, IN
Mark Nearing, (317) 494-8683
Daily weed forecasts via computer can help farmers reduce herbicide use
without yield loss. ARS scientists have posted weed forecasts for west
central Minnesota farmers on the Internet, using predictions made by a
weed simulation computer model called WeedCast. Scientists are working to
put the model on the Internet so farmers worldwide can generate forecasts
by typing in local weather data. ARS is also putting the model on
computer disks. The forecasts can also be used with the WeedSim model
which advises farmers if and when to use herbicides based on predicted
weed emergence and subsequent growth. Minnesota field tests with corn and
soybeans over the past four years have shown that these predictions can
cut herbicide use by more than two-thirds--a potential savings of $20 an
acre. The tests show that a little extra weediness at certain times does
not hurt yields. WeedCast
forecasts are available on the Internet.
Soil Management Research,
Morris, MN
Frank Forcella, (320) 589-3411
ARS has helped establish a weather station network that links farmers
on Texas' Northern High Plains by fax and computer to the latest forecasts
of plant water needs, potentially saving the owner of a 2,500-acre farm
more than $10,000 a year in water costs. Air and soil temperature and
other hourly weather data are automatically sent from the field weather
stations to a central computer that predicts soil moisture evaporation and
plant water use for major crop varieties, based on ARS research.
Eventually, computer predictions of pest conditions will be provided to
farmers. The eight field stations, each on a private farm in a different
county, complement a similar network established for the Texas Southern
High Plains cotton farming area. Together, the networks now serve cotton,
corn, wheat and peanut farming areas. The Northern Plains network is
operated by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at Amarillo, Texas,
while the Southern Plains network is headquartered at Lubbock. Like
Lubbock, the Amarillo station has a computer that automatically sends
early morning faxes and e-mail messages to subscribers. They include
farmers, county agents, the news media and urban users such as the
Amarillo Independent School District. Farmers currently use the network
to schedule irrigations, choose planting dates and predict crop growth.
The school district uses the forecasts to properly water school
landscaping. Corn and wheat farming associations along with local water
districts and the Texas Agricultural Extension Service helped build the
networks.
Water Management
Research, Bushland, TX
Terry Howell, (806) 356-5775
It's known that sunflower plants whose stems stay green longer stand up
better to drought and diseases and resist lodging. Now researchers
have used an image processing computer system to pinpoint a combination of
genes that control the stay-green trait. Their studies with offspring of
different male and female inbred sunflower lines indicate breeders can
begin selecting for the trait in the early stages of developing new
cultivars. Sunflower seeds typically are left to dry in the field, but
growers watched for green stems to turn brown as an indicator that seed
moisture levels were right for harvesting. Seeds from plants with the
stay-green trait become dry enough for harvest before the stems turn
brown, resulting in much healthier plants which resist diseases and
lodging.
Oilseeds Research, Fargo, ND
Jerry F. Miller, (701) 239-1321
Last updated: October 22, 1996
Return to: Quarterly Report
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