W-128

2000 Annual Report

 

Title Microirrigation Technologies for Protection

of Natural Resources and Optimum Production

Personnel Freddie R. Lamm

Gary A. Clark

Mahbub Alam

Kansas State University

Objectives

Research and development were conducted to address W-128 Project Objectives 1 - 4.

Objective 1. To evaluate and refine microirrigation management strategies to promote natural resource protection and optimal crop production.

Objective 2. To improve, modify, and evaluate microirrigation system design and components for natural resource protection and optimal crop production.

Objective 3. Develop an expert system and models for chemical management practices using microirrigation systems.

Objective 4. To promote appropriate microirrigation technologies through formal and informal educational activities.

 

Progress of Work and Accomplishments

Summary:

Research initiated in 1998 was continued to compare the performance of SDI to LEPA center pivot sprinkler irrigation. Preliminary results indicate a yield advantage for SDI.

A study to evaluate using livestock wastewater through SDI was continued for the third year. Results are indicating that clogging is occurring for some of the smaller emitter sizes, but that some remediation is possible. A refereed publication related to this work has been published. A presentation was made at a national meeting. An additional SDI system was developed to apply swine wastewater to cropland. Field drainage lysimeters were constructed and are being installed for research related to bioremediation of livestock waste contaminated soil and water with subsurface drip irrigation.

A study was initiated to determine the optimum dripline depth for corn production on silt loam soils in western Kansas. No conclusions can be drawn at this time.

A drip irrigation hose performance standard was approved in the first stages of balloting. Studies were initiated on the execution and evaluation of the performance standard testing procedures.

A demonstration project using alfalfa with SDI was continued. International and national presentations were made describing this work.

A SDI demonstration site was installed at the Kansas State University Agronomy Farm.

Work was initiated to revise a microirrigation book. K-State faculty serve as an editor and as authors for selected chapters.

A summarization of 10 years of SDI research with corn was presented at an international conference.

Three multi-county regional meetings and trade shows were held in the year 2000. These were held at Colby, Pratt, and Sublette, all in Kansas. The title of the day ong conference and the trade show was "Subsurface Drip Irrigation: A Technology for a New Century". One hundred fifty participated including producers and agricultural consultants. Crop Consultant Certification credits were given to the consultants for their completion of the training session.

Usefulness of Findings

Use of livestock wastewater with SDI appears to be a realistic possibility. These advantages include reduction or elimination of human contact with the wastewater liquid and aerial drift, reduction in odors, elimination of wastewater runoff from surface applications, and greater application uniformity resulting in better water, nutrient, and salinity management.

Work Planned for 2001

Continue lab studies on the evaluation of the drip hose performance standard. Initiate field studies on bioremediation of livestock waste contaminated soils using the SDI drainage lysimeter system. Complete the design chapter for the microirrigation book. Studies comparing LEPA and SDI will be continued. The dripline depth study will be continued with additional emphasis on investigating system life. Wastewater research will be continued and possibly expanded.

Significant Publications and Presentations Related to W-128

Trooien, T.P., F. R. Lamm, L. R. Stone, M. Alam, D. H. Rogers, G. A. Clark, A. J. Schlegel. 2000. Subsurface drip irrigation using livestock wastewater: Dripline flow rates. App. Engr. in Agr. 16(5):505-508.

Lamm, F. R. and T. P. Trooien. 2000. SDI for corn production: A ten year summary of research. In proceedings of the 6th International Microirrigation Congress (Micro 2000), Capetown, South Africa, Oct. 22-27, 2000. 9 pp.

Camp, C. R., F. R. Lamm, R. G. Evans, and C. J. Phene. 2000. Subsurface drip irrigation: Past, present and future. In proceedings of the 4th Decennial National Irrigation Symposium, Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 14-16, 2000. pp. 363-372.

Trooien, T.P., F. R. Lamm, L. R. Stone, M. Alam, D. H. Rogers, G. A. Clark, A. J. Schlegel. 2000. Using subsurface drip irrigation with livestock wastewater. In proceedings of the 4th Decennial National Irrigation Symposium, Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 14-16, 2000.

Alam, M., T. Trooien, S. Stone, and D. Rogers. 2000. Subsurface drip irrigation for alfalfa. In proceedings of the 4th Decennial National Irrigation Symposium, Phoenix, AZ, Nov. 14-16, 2000. pp. 373-378.

Alam, M., T. Trooien, S. Stone, and D. Rogers. 2000. Subsurface drip irrigation for alfalfa in western Kansas. In proceedings of the 6th International Microirrigation Congress (Micro 2000), Capetown, South Africa, Oct. 22-27, 2000. 6 pp.