Annual Report of Cooperative Regional Project, W-128

Supported by Allotments of Regional Research Fund

Hatch Act, As Amended August, 1955

January 1 to December 31, 1995

PROJECT: Microirrigation: Best Management Practices (BMPS) for Sustaining

Water Quality and Agriculture Productivity (January 1 to December

31, 1995)

Cooperating Agencies and Principal Leaders:

Administrative Advisor: V.V. Volk
USDA-CSRS Representative: W.K. Murphey
State Agricultural Experiment Stations
Arizona AZ M. Yitayew*, A.W. Warrick, T.L. Thompson
California CA K.A. Shackel*, D.J. Hills, J.W. Hopmans**, L.J. Schwankl**
Colorado CO I. Broner*
Florida FL C. Stanley*
Guam GU P. Singh*
Hawaii HI I.P. Wu*
Idaho ID H. Neibling*,T.A. Tendall, R.H. Brooks, B.A. King
Iowa IA H.G. Taber*
Kansas KS F.R. Lamm*, G.A. Clark**
Michigan MI V.F. Bralts*
Minnesota MN S.C. Gupta*, J.F. Moncrief, C. Rosen, J. Wright, D. Steele
Oregon OR R. H. Cuenca, J. Selker*
New Mexico NM T. W. Sammis*
Texas TX R. D. Lacewell*, J. Moore, M.J. McFarland
Virginia VA N . Powell*
Washington WA R.G. Evans*, S.E. Spayd, R.L.Wample, R.G. Stevens,W.W. Cone
Wyoming WY R. Zhang*
USDA - Agricultural Research Service (Fresno, CA):
R.B. Hutmacher*, J.E. Ayars

* Voting Members

** New members joined in the revised project, 1995

I. Progress of Work and Principal Accomplishments

The following is a summary of the activities and work accomplished related to the W-128 Regional Research Project. The summaries are written by objective. Since this was the first year of the revised project not all states reported activities in all objectives.

OBJECTIVE 1. Development of microirrigation system BMBs to sustain crop production and minimize water application and water quality degradation. States Reporting Activities: CA,CO,HI,ID,KS,MI,NM,WA,WY

Summary: Water and nutrients can be applied in different ways depending on the cropping system and environmental conditions. The form of irrigation scheduling that optimizes production while minimizing leaching represents the BMP for that cropping system. In addition, the uniformity of the microirrigation system must be known to assess leaching and potential groundwater contamination.In 1995, software for scheduling irrigation (SCS-Scheduler V3.0) and evaluating microirrigation systems (Evaluator 1.0) was distributed by MI. In addition, researchers at HI developed equations for quantifying deep seepage under microirrigation systems. These equations were related to systems uniformity, ET and application efficiency.Their conclusions were (a) deep seepage under microirrigation systems can be minimized or eliminated, (b) the cost or value of deep seepage must be estimated, (c) accurate ET estimatesare necessary to eliminate groundwater contamination. In AZ an apparatus was developed to allow direct injection of 1% N-labeled fertilizers through buried drip tubing field studies. In KS a BMP for nitrogen fertigation was developed for SDI of corn. In WY a software package for evaluating surface and microirrigation systems is under development. The package SWMS_IRG is being developed to simulate water flow, heat transport, root uptake and, movement of chemicals in variably saturated soils in irrigation systems. Again in AZ in-sita measurements of soil hydraulic properties were made using point source applications of water.

Numerous other experiments were installed related to this objective and those experiments will be discussed under objective 2.

OBJECTIVE 2. Carry out field evaluations of BMP’s for crop production and water quality degradation control using microirrigation.

States Reporting Activities: AZ,CA,GU, IA, ID, KS, MN,NM, OR,WY

Many of the field installations and experiments described under Objective 1 are the same as for this objective. The emphasis in this objective is on evaluations of BMPs rather than the development. In particular, measurements of water quality and leachate from the field are encouraged. A common measure of nitrate movement and plant production are recommended.In 1995 numerous experiments were initiated to test specific BMPs. In CA prune trees were managed at a controlled level of irrigation deficit using SDI. In IA sweet peppers were grown on black plastic mulch with a single line source microirrigation system. Three drip irrigation experiments were conducted on potato fields in ID. The study was conducted to determine combinations of irrigations and fertilizer management required to optimize potato yields and quality. In KS a field study was initiated to determine the effects of six different fertigation levels (0,90,135,180,225,270 kg/ha) applied using SDI, on the amounts and distribution of soil nitrogen. Additional studies were conducted in MN on potatoes. In NM onions were studied to estimate ET and water requirement under drip irrigation. In WA several existing experiments including hops and grapes were monitored for water and fertilizer requirements.

OBJECTIVE 3. Develop an expert system and models for chemical management practices using microirrigation systems.States Reporting Activities: AZ,CO,HI,MN,NM,WY

Under this objective computer models will be developed and run as appropriate for for different management practices. Models such as COTTAM, CHAIN-2D, and CERES - MAIZE will be used. In addition an expert system will be developed which can utilize the experimental results of all participating states.Only CO reported under this objective, although AZ,HI,MN, NM, and WY all contributed modeling information and methods which can be used in future years. In CO an onion database was developed and installed in an expert system. Two field experiments were designed to test the expert system recommendations against typical management systems. Both experiments were terminated due to an unusually wet spring, but will be reinstalled in 1996.

OBJECTIVE 4. Assess the economics of BMP’s developed for microirrigation

The cost of loading groundwater with nitrate nitrogen is a function of the cleanup or replacement cost of drinking water that is no longer suitable for human consumption. The purpose of this objective is to determine a realistic cost for groundwater contamination so that economic models can be built which reflect the true cost of leaching. HI has developed an economic model for predicting the volume of leachate which requires us an input the value or cost of remaining Nitrate-N from the water. No specific results or costs were reported in 1995. In the future as the BMP’s are tested in objectives 1 and 2 perhaps an economic valve of leachate can be determined.

II. Usefulness of the Findings

Since this was the first year of the revised project usefulness, the findings are limited. However, the following are some specific findings by selected participants.AR - Development of key soil parameters influencing water movement can be used in future computer models for developing microirrigation BMP’s.CA - A result demonstrates that excessive local application of irrigation water does not result in poor or restricted root systems.Field tests are indicating that substantial savings of water are possible with regulated irrigation deficit. HI - Deep seepage can be minimized or eliminated using microirrigation BMP’s.- The need for accurate estimates of the value or cost of nitrate contamination is needed. IA - Nitrogen monitoring via leaf petiole can be used to avoid unnecassary applications of nitrogen and thus reduce potential for groundwater contamination.KS - Optium applied nitrogen rates with fertigation using SDI are considerably less than hose used for traditional production systems.MN - The results of this study provide a database for testing two dimensional water flow models for drip and sprinkler irrigation. NM - Information about the water use of onions could result in reduced water use and prevent leaching of nitrogen into the groundwater.WA - Information has been collected on the management of fertigated apples. Regulated deficit irrigation of wine grapes are effective in reducing canopy growth.

III. Plan of Work

In the coming year each of the participants will continue to collect data, and develop models as prescribed in the project outline.

IV. PUBLICTIONS (including manuscripts accepted)

A. Journal Articles

D-Alaz, J.C., K.A. Shackel, E. Sutter. 1994. Acclimatization and subsequent gas exchange, water relations, and growth of microcultured apple shoots after transplanting.HortSci. 29:562.

DeRooij, G.H., A.W. Warrick and J.L.W. Gielen. 1995. Steady flow from a disc source above a shallow water table. J. Hydrology (Accepted)

Diaz-Perez, J.C., K.A. Shackel, E.G. Sutter. 1995. Effects of in vitroformed roots and acclimatization on water status and gas exchange of tissue-cultured apple shoots.J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 120:435-440

Diaz-Perez, J.C., K.A. Shackel, E.G. Sutter. 1995. Relative water content and water potential of tissue-cultured apple shoots under water deficits. J. Exp. Bot. 282:111-118.

Gerrish,P.J., V.F. Bralts and W.H. Shayya. 1996. Hydraulic Analysis of Pressure Irrigation Systems Using A Virtual Emitter System. Paper accepted for publication in Transactions of the ASAE.

Gerrish, P.J. W.H. Shayya and V.F. Bralts. 1996. Incorporating Pipe Components in the Analysis of Hydraulic Networks. Paper accepted for publication in the Transactions of the ASAE.

Greve, L.C., K. Shackel, H. Ahmadi, R.N. McArdle, J. Gohlke, J.M. Labavitch. 1994. Impact of heating on carrot firmness: contribution of cellular turgorn. J. Agr. & Food Chem.42:2896-2899.

Kravchenko, A., E. Shein, and R. Zhang. 1995. Estimation of spatial variability of soil hydraulic properties. Proceedings of Water Resources at Risk, pp. 288-299.

Lamm, F.R., H.L. Manges, L.R. Stone, A.H. Khan, and D.H. Rogers. 1995. Water requirement of subsurface drip-irrigated corn in northwest Kansas. Transactions of the ASAE 38(2)-441-448.

Lampinen, B.D., K.A. Shackel, S.M. Southwirck, B. Olson, J.T. Yeager, D. Goldhamer.1995. Sensitivity of yield and fruit quality of french prune to water deprivation at different growth stages. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 120:139-147.

McGee, E.A., T.L. Thompson, and T.W. McCreary. 1995. An apparatus for application of nitrogen-15 fertilizers through buried drip tubing. Soil Sci. Am. J. 59:1495-1498.

A. Journal Articles (Cont.)

Mignani, I., L.C. Greve, R. Ben-Arie, H.U. Stotz, C. Li, K. Shackel, J.M. Labavitch. 1995.The effects of GA3 and divalent cations on aspects of pectin metabolism and tissue softening in ripening tomato pericarp. Physical Plant. 93:108-115.

Milad, R.E., K.A. Shackel. 1994. Fruit hydraulic budgets in french prune (Prunus domestica L .CV. french) and their effects on fruit growth and cracking. HortSci. 29:440.

Reynolds, C., and M. Yitayew. 1995. Low-head bubbler irrigation systems Part I: Design.Agri. Water Management (accepted August 1994).

Reynolds, C., M. Yitayew, and M. Peterson. 1995. Low-head bubbler irrigation systems Part II: Airlock problems. Agri. Water Management (accepted August 1994).

Southwick, S.M., K.A. Shackel, J.T. Yeager. 1994. Relationship between summer temperature and deep suture formation in ‘Bing’ sweet cherry. HortSci. 29:440.

Taber, H.G., D.F. Cox, B.C. Smith, and K.A. Klock. 1995. Comparison of specific electrode techniques for measuring bell pepper petiole sap nitrate concentration. HortScience 30:759.

Thompson, Thomas L., and Thomas A. Doerge. 1995. Nitrogen and water rates forsubsurface trickle irrigated romaine lettuce. HortScience 30:000-000. (in press).

Thompson, Thomas L., and Thomas A. Doerge. 1995. Nitrogen and water interactions in subsurface trickle irrigated leaf lettuce I. Response to water and nitrogen inputs. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 60:000-000. (in press).

Thompson, Thomas L., and Thomas A. Doerge. 1995. Nitrogen and water interactions in subsurface trickle irrigated leaf lettuce II. Evaluation of agronomic, economic, and environmental outcomes. Soil Soc. Am. J. 60:000-000. (in press).

Thompson, Thomas L., and Thomas A. Doerge. 1996. Nitrogen and water rates forsubsurface trickle irrigated collard, mustard, and spinach. HortScience 30:000-000.(in press).

Warrick, A.W. and U. Shani. 1996. Soil-limiting discharge from subsurface emitters II:Analysis and effect on uniformity. J. Irrig. and Dr.(Submitted).

Wu, J., R. Zhang, and J. Yang. 1995. Analysis of rainfall-recharge relationships. J.Hydrology. (in press).

Zhang, R. 1995. Determination of soil hydraulic properties with decoupled approaches.Proceedings of Water Resources at Risk, pp. 116-125.

A. Journal Articles (Cont.)

Zhang, R., S. Rahman, G.F. Vance, and L.C. Munn. 1995. Geostatistical analyses of trace elements in soils and plants. Soil Sci. 159:383-390.

Zhang, R. 1995. Prediction of solute transport using a transfer model and the convection-dispersion equation. Soil Sci. 160:18-27.

B. Reports and Papers Presented

Didan, K., C. Reynolds, and M. Yitayew. 1995. BUBBLER Users Manual: A Computer program for Designing Low-Head Gravity Flow Bubbler IrrigationSystems for Trees. Vines, and Orchard Crops. University of Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin.

Godin, Ronald E., Thomas A. Doerge, and Thomas L. Thompson. 1994. Optimizing nitrogen and water inputs in trickle-irrigated broccoli and cauliflower. Agron. Abst. p.311. Presented at Soil Science Society of America meetings, Seattle, WA

.Hussen, A.A. and A.W. Warrick. 1994. Tension infiltrometers for the measurement of vadose zone hydraulic properties. In Wilson, L.G., L.G. Everett and S.J. Cullen (Ed),Handbook of vadose zone characterization and monitoring. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL., p.189-201.

Mohamad Salamen Al-jamal. 1995. Nitrogen pollution caused by poor irrigation Management and fertilizer practices. M.S. Thesis, New Mexico State University,Agronomy and Horticulture Department.

Maki, Kerri, and Thomas L. Thompson. 1994. Monitoring soil water movement under trickle-irrigated leaf lettuce. Agron. Abst. p. 363. Presented at Soil Science Society of America meetings, Seattle, WA.

Neibling, W.H., R. H. Brooks and J.E. Hockema. 1995. Buried drip irrigation design for center pivot corners. ASAE Paper No. PNW - 211. Presented at the 1995 Pacific NW Regional Meeting, Harrison Hot Springs, BC. Am. Soc. Agric. Engrs. 13pp.

Neibling, W.H. and R. H. Brooks. 1995. Potato production using subsurface drip irrigation-water and nitrogen management. IN: Proc. 5th International Microirrigation Congress.April 2-6, 1995. Orlando, FL. Am. Soc. Agric. Engrs. 656-663.

Pei, Anya. 1995. Reuse of Wastewater for Golf Grasses by drip Irrigation: water balance and nitrogen and chloride in percolate. M.S. Thesis, Dept. of Biosystems

Engineering.

Thompson, Thomas L., Scott A. White, and Thomas A. Doerge. 1994. Uptake of ¹⁵N from multiple N applications added to subsurface trickle-irrigated leaf lettuce. Agron. Abst. p.396. Presented at Soil Science Society of America meetings, Seattle, WA.

Thompson, T.L., T.A. Doerge, T.W. McCreary, and J. Rodriguez-Casas. 1994. Nitrogen and water inputs for trickle-irrigated winter vegetables. University of Arizona Vegetable Report. Series P-97, pp.16-29.

Thompson, Thomas L. and Kerri L. Maki. 1995. Subsurface drip irrigation of leaf lettuce and broccoli I. Spatial distribution of roots and soil water tension. University of Arizona Vegetable Report. Series P-97, pp. 37-49.

Thompson, Thomas L. and Kerri L. Maki. 1995. Subsurface drip irrigation of leaf lettuce and broccoli II. Water balance. University of Arizona Vegetable Report. Series P-97, pp.50-55.

Wu, J., R. Zhang, and J. Yang. 1995. Estimating groundwater recharge processes using a transfer function model. Proceedings of Fifteenth Annual American Geophysical Union, Hydrology Days. pp. 363-364. Fort Collins, Colorado.

Yang, J., R. Zhang, J. Wu, and M.B. Allen. 1995. Stochastic simulations of absorbing solute transport through unsaturated soil. Proceedings of Fifteenth Annual American Geophysical Union. Hydrology Days. pp. 365-376. Fort Collins, Colorado.

Yitayew, M., C. Reynolds, and A.A. Sheta. 1995. Bubbler irrigation design and management.Microirrigation for a Changing World: Conserving Resources/Preserving the Environment. Proceeding of the Fifth International Microirrigation Congress. April 2-6, 1995. Hyatt Regency. Orlando, Florida.

Yitayew, M. and A. Khan. 1995. Field evaluation of water and solute movement from a point source. Microirrigation for a Changing World: Conserving Resources/Preserving The Environment. Proceeding of the Fifth International Microirrigation Congress.April 2-6, 1995. Hyatt Regency. Orlando, Florida.][

Zhang,R., T. Vogel, J. Teed, and M. Th. vanGenuchten. 1995. A user-friendly software package for modeling water, solute, and heat flow in variably saturated solid. Proceedings of Workshop on Computer Applications in Water Management. pp. 88-92. Fort Collins, Colorado.

Zhang, R., A. J. Krzyszowska, G.F. Vance, and R.D. Allen. 1995. Modeling pesticide transport under field conditions. Proceedings of Workshop on Computer Applications in Water Management. pp. 93-98. Fort Collins, Colorado.

Zhang, R., A. Kravechenko, and Y. Tung. 1995. Spatial and temporal distributions of precipitation in Wyoming. Proceeding of Fifteenth Annual American Geophysical Union, Hydrology Day. pp. 377-388. Fort Collins, Colorado.

B. Reports and Papers Presented (Cont.)

Zhang, R., J.D. Hamerlinck, S.P. Gloss, and L. Munn. 1995. Determination of non-point source pollution using gis and numerical models. Proceeding of ASA-CSSA-SSSA Bouyoucos Conference. pp. 160-180. Riverside, California.

C. Reports and Papers Presented

Bralts, V.F., P.J. Gerrish and R. Yue. 1995. An Improved Finite Element Model for the Analysis of Microirrigation Systems. Paper published in the proceedings of the 5th International Microirrigation Congress, Orlando, Florida.

Bralts, V.F. and W. H. Shayya. 1995. Irrigation Scheduling of Microirrigation Systems Using the SCS-Scheduler. Paper published in the proceedings of the 5th International Microirrigation Congress, Orlando, Florida.

Dhuyvetter, K.C., F.R. Lamm and D. H. Rogers. 1995. Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) for field corn--An economic analysis. In proceedings of the Fifth International Microirrigation Congress. Orlando, FL., April 2-6, 1995. pp. 395-401. Available fromASAE, St. Joseph, MI.

Dhuyvetter, K.C., F.R. Lamm, and D. H. Rogers. 1995. An Economic comparison of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and center pivot irrigation for field corn. In proceedings of the 1995 Central Plains Irrigation Short Course. Garden City, KS, February 7-8,1995. Available from KSU Extension Agricultural Engineering, Manhattan, KS.pp. 139-147.

Dhuyvetter, K.C., F.R. Lamm, and D. H. Rogers. 1994. Subsurface drip irrigation for field corn: An economic analysis. KSU Cooperative Extension Management Series, L-909.6pp.

Lamm, F.R. 1995. Narrow corn row spacing for cost efficient, water efficient subsurfacedrip irrigation. Kansas Water Resources Research Institute, Manhattan, KS. KWRRI Contribution No. 316, 20pp.

Lamm, F.R., G.A. Clark, M. Yitayew, R.A. Schoneman, R.M. Mead, and A.D. Schneider.1995. Installation issues for SDI systems. In proceedings of the 1995 Irrigation Association international exposition and technical conference, Phoenix, AZ, November12-14, 1995. Available from Irrigation Association, Fairfax, VA.

Lamm, F.R., W.E. Spurgeon, D.H. Rogers, and H.L. Manges. 1995. Corn production using subsurface drip irrigation. In proceedings of the Fifth International Microirrigation Congress, Orlando, FL., April 2-6, 1995. pp. 388-394. Available from ASAE, St.Joseph, MI.

Pang, X.P. 1995. Field and computer modeling studies on soil hydrology in the central sands of Minnesota: Percolation probabilities, risk assessment of nitrate leaching, and percolation losses from drip vs. sprinkler irrigation. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN. p.193.

Taber, H.G. 1995. Response of sweet bell peppers to nitrogen application. In: Annual Fruit/Vegetable Progress Report 1994, Iowa State University Coop. Ext. Bull. FG 601, p. 74-75.

Wu, I-Pai. 1994. Deficit Irrigation Scheduling for Microirrigation. ASAE Paper No.94-2586, presented at the 1994 International Winter Meeting, December 13-16, Atlanta, Georgia, pp.19.

Wu, I-Pai. 1995. A Simple Optimal Microirrigation Scheduling. Microirrigation for a Changing World: Conserving Resources/Preserving the Environment. Processing of the Fifth International Microirrigation Congress, April 2-6, Orlando, Florida.

If you note any broken links or errors in this web site or have information to contribute or difficulty obtaining information about the W-128 working group, please contact
Dr. Clinton C. Shock
Malheur Agricultural Experiment Station, Oregon State University
595 Onion Avenue
Ontario, OR 97914
(541) 889-2174
FAX (541) 889-7831
Clinton.Shock@oregonstate.edu

Last updated  Tuesday July 1, 2003.