Author
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Vories, Earl |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 7/29/2005 Publication Date: 8/31/2005 Citation: Vories, E.D. 2005. Usda-agricultural research service irrigation research. Delta Center 44th Annual Field Day, Portageville, MO., University of Missouri. P. 23. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The program at the Delta Center is a part of the Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit located at Columbia. It began in 2000 with cooperative research between ARS scientists at Columbia and Delta Center faculty. By 2003 the program had expanded enough to support additional faculty at Portageville. Earl Vories was hired as Lead Scientist in 2004 and Ray Benson as Agricultural Science Research Technician in 2005. The objectives include: to develop methods and techniques for design, operation, and management of irrigation systems in southeastern Missouri; to develop and evaluate the benefits and limitations of site-specific management (precision irrigation) technologies for irrigated agriculture; and to evaluate the impact of soil compaction on irrigation and possible changes in management to reduce the effects of compaction. In addition to conducting studies at the Delta Center and with cooperators on nearby farms, the program includes cooperative studies with researchers at other locations addressing problems pertinent to southeast Missouri agriculture. For example, cooperative research with scientists from the University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University, and USDA-ARS deals with rice irrigation and impacts on water quality. With rice becoming increasingly important in southeast Missouri, this information will be quite valuable to producers in the region. Another project with other scientists throughout the mid-South and Texas deals with cotton irrigation and the optimal time to terminate irrigation. Being at the northern edge of the cotton belt, properly managing inputs, including irrigation, is essential for Missouri producers. The project's objectives and research plans are currently being updated in conjunction with other related programs around the country. In June, scientists and stakeholders met in Denver, Colorado to initiate the process. In addition to the input from the stakeholders who attended the Denver meeting, information is being gathered from southeastern Missouri producers and agricultural leaders to ensure that the major irrigation-related problems are recognized and that appropriate strategies are developed to address them. |
