ARS | Publication request: Effects of Supply-Limited Deficit Irrigation on Cotton Growth and Yield

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 15, 2007
Publication Date: May 19, 2007
Citation: Van Pelt, R.S. 2007. Effects of Supply-Limited Deficit Irrigation on Cotton Growth and Yield[abstract). (CD-ROM) World Environmental and Water Resources Congress. May 15-19, 2007. Tampa, Florida.

Technical Abstract: Many irrigated areas served by the Ogallala Aquifer are experiencing diminished well capacity and declining water levels. Frequent droughts in these same areas often result in the loss or diminished yields of dryland crops. Sub-surface drip irrigation (SDI) offers producers the opportunity to supplement natural rainfall in fields previously used for dryland production and to continue irrigating with diminished well capacity where well capacities have fallen below the ability to irrigate by flood or sprinkler methods. We irrigated cotton for three growing seasons with application rates approximating that deliverable in 120 hours per week from wells with capacities of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 l/ha/min. Even though the timing and amount of irrigation varied greatly among the years, cotton growth and yield did respond to the addition of even small amounts of water through SDI. Anomalies noted in the 2006 growing season may be related to fertilizer application through the SDI system and to temporally uneven stand establishment.