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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Jonesboro, Arkansas » Delta Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #322891
Title: Plant, soil and weather based cues for irrigation timing in soybean production 2014

Author
item CHLAPECKA, JUSTIN - Arkansas State University
item BENSON, N.R. - Arkansas State University
item MANN, AMANDA - Arkansas State University
item MORRIS, D. KEITH - Arkansas State University
item Reba, Michele
item TEAGUE, TINA - Arkansas State University

Submitted to: Arkansas Experiment Station Research Series
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/2015
Publication Date: 5/1/2016
Citation: Chlapecka, J., Benson, N., Mann, A., Morris, D., Reba, M.L., Teague, T. 2016. Plant, soil and weather based cues for irrigation timing in soybean production 2014. Arkansas Experiment Station Research Series. 631/163-167.

Interpretive Summary: Arkansas irrigates the most acres of any state in the Mississippi River Basin. Forty-six percent of the irrigated acres in Arkansas use furrow irrigation. Prudent irrigation management not only preserves resources and reduces production costs but also impacts water quality by reducing the amount of runoff and associated nutrients and agrochemicals entering waterways from agricultural fields. A major research objective was to develop, validate and expand use of irrigation timing cues, incorporating information from local weather stations, atmometers, and soil moisture measurements. For this study, cues for irrigation initiation timing were based on plant maturity measures and evapotranspiration (ET). Due to high rainfall in the 2014 production season, results from the study showed little variation of soybean yield among irrigation timing treatments. Analysis of yield from the study site indicated yield reduction without irrigation treatments only within areas of the field with soils characterized as sand blows.

Technical Abstract: Expanded use of irrigation management tools are needed to improve irrigation and water use efficiency in eastern Arkansas soybean production. In 2014 we initiated an Arkansas Soybean Promotion Board supported project to examine irrigation initiation timing on a sandy loam soil in a furrow-irrigated commercial field in Mississippi County. A major research objective was to develop, validate and expand use of irrigation timing cues, incorporating information from local weather stations, atmometers, and soil moisture measurements. For this study, cues for irrigation initiation timing were based on plant maturity measures and evapotranspiration (ET). Four irrigation initiation timing treatments were evaluated: irrigation initiation occurred when deficits reached 1.2 in. (early start), 2 in. (standard), and 3 in. (late start), and rainfed. Plots consisted of 32 rows running the full length of the field (approx. 1250 ft); each plot strip was separated by 16 rows. Although the predominate soil type was a sandy loam, the field was variable with multiple areas of coarse sand (sand blows) present at random locations throughout the field. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with 4 replications and comprised approximately 40 acres. Meteorological data were obtained from an on-farm weather station. We also monitored crop and pest response to irrigation timing. In the high rainfall 2014 season, results from the study showed little variation of soybean yield among irrigation timing treatments. Analysis of yield monitor data indicated yield penalties for irrigation treatments only within rainfed strips in areas of the field with soils characterized as sand blows.