ARS | Publication request: SUBSURFACE DRIP IRRIGATIONFOR COTTON IN THE SOUTHEAST

Submitted to: Irrigation Associations Exposition and Technical Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: September 14, 2001
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Drip irrigation offers several advantages over sprinkler irrigation in humid areas, including ease of system start-up each season, ease of automation, lower water pressure, lower water flow rate, and improved management of water and nutrients. Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) cost can be reduced and made more profitable for cotton through the use of wider lateral spacing and placement of laterals below the tillage zone, which allows multiple-year use. Results from three experiments (eight site-years) that evaluated SDI for cotton show no lint yield difference between the 1-m and 2-m spacing. Although shallow soil compaction occurred after changing from a traditional disking to a no-tillage culture (after fourth year), moderately deep conservation tillage intended to remove the compaction during the last two years did not improve cotton lint yields. Consequently, it appears that subsurface drip irrigation systems can largely overcome the adverse effects of shallow compaction for cotton in the southeastern Coastal Plain. However, reduction of compaction and soil strength may reduce the amount of irrigation required.