Project Number: 6208-21000-018-12
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jan 01, 2012
End Date: Dec 31, 2012

Objective:
Study the effects of combined approaches of deficit irrigation scheduling and conservation tillage systems on cotton production in Australia and the U.S. The proposed research is a multi-disciplinary project involving the integration of breeding, whole-plant physiology, soil science, agronomy, and economics to test the utility of an integrated, producer-friendly irrigation scheduling tool in water-limited production environments. Additionally, this research will enhance our knowledge of whole-plant and system (soil and crop) responses to timed irrigation deficits, physiological impacts of these deficits on plant performance, and the resulting impact on yield and quality.

Approach:
1. Field studies comparing irrigation scheduling treatments utilizing a number of different temperature thresholds embedded in the BIOTIC system. The results from these experiments will help to refine the most appropriate threshold for deficit irrigation systems with limited water in different growing environments. 2. Conduct field trials using BIOTIC scheduling approach in isolation and in combination with other crop measures used for irrigation scheduling (e.g., soil moisture, crop factors), and analyze metabolic and physiological response to these irrigation regimes. 3. Deliver to industry a comprehensive assessment of and guidelines for the use of the BIOTIC for irrigation scheduling in water-limited environments to improve yield, quality, and water use and the impacts on conservation tillage and cover cropping systems on cotton production in water-limited environments.