Persistence patterns in subfield-field crop water use to guide variable rate management

Authors: DEVAL, CHINMAY - University Of Alabama; BROOKS, ERIN - University Of Idaho; SCHOTT, LINDA - University Of Idaho; KELLEY, JASON - University Of Idaho; Bjorneberg, David

Submitted to: Environmental Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/2025
Publication Date: 6/6/2025
Citation: Deval, C., Brooks, E.S., Schott, L.R., Kelley, J., Bjorneberg, D.L. 2025. Persistence patterns in subfield-field crop water use to guide variable rate management. Environmental Research. https://doi.org/10.1088/3033-4942/addc8f.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/3033-4942/addc8f

Interpretive Summary: Agricultural water management and optimal resource allocation are critical for sustainable and efficient food production. While precision agriculture has substantively advanced through technological interventions, it remains a challenge to identify spatial patterns that persist over time within field zones. In this study, we used historic 30 m gridded seasonal crop water use maps developed by the University of Idaho and the Idaho Department of Water Resources over 16 years to identify fields that demonstrate persistent crop water use patterns. Statistical analysis of the crop water use relative to the field average revealed persistent patterns across irrigated areas in southern Idaho. Factors such as the dominant crop type, within-field topographic differences, soil physical properties, and irrigation water source used were factors in the observed patterns. This study advances knowledge of persistent crop water use patterns, and contributes a cost-effective and efficient methodology for evaluating field variability. Mapping persistent patterns enables identification of specific areas within the field that could benefit from variable rate management.

Technical Abstract: Agricultural water management and optimal resource allocation are critical for sustainable and efficient food production. Modern farming practices, underpinned by precision agriculture, leverage advanced technologies for optimal resource allocation. While precision agriculture has substantively advanced through technological interventions, it remains a challenge to identify spatial patterns that persist over time within field zones. In this study, we used historic 30 m gridded seasonal consumptive irrigation requirement maps (i.e., actual evapotranspiration /crop water uptake) developed by the University of Idaho and the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) over 16 years to identify fields that demonstrate persistent crop water use patterns. Statistical analysis of the crop water use relative to the field average reveals persistent patterns across irrigated areas of the Magic Valley region in Idaho, USA. Variable importance analysis using the Boruta feature selection algorithm showed that factors such as the dominant crop type across multiple seasons, within-field topographic differences, soil physical properties, and water source used in irrigation are all factors in the observed patterns. Persistent patterns in reduced crop water use near field edges may not manifest in fields surrounded by other irrigated fields due to the oasis effects originating from the neighboring fields. This study advances knowledge of persistent crop water use patterns, and contributes a cost-effective and efficient methodology for evaluating field variability. Mapping persistent patterns enables identifying and targeting specific areas within the field that could benefit from variable rate management. The resulting persistence maps offer valuable insights for growers, agronomists, and water managers to allocate water resources and optimize crop yields.