A Microcomputer-Based Irrigation Scheduler for the Humid Mid-South Region

Cahoon, Joel; Ferguson, James A.; Edwards, D. M.; Tacker, P. L.

doi:10.13031/2013.26384

Cited by 65 publications

(43 citation statements)

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“…The experimental design was a randomized complete block with five replications in 2000, three replications in 2001 and four replications in 2003 for each irrigation level. Timing of irrigations were determined using the Arkansas Irrigation Scheduler model [37,38]. In 2000, the well-irrigated regime was watered on June 2, 9, 14 and 26, and July 3, 7, 12, 18 and 25, and moderately irrigated regime was watered on June 2, 14 and 30, and July 11 and 22.…”

Section: Experimental Site Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Planting Density, Irrigation Regimes, and Maize Hybrids with Varying Ear Size on Yield, and Aflatoxin and Fumonisin Contamination Levels

Abbas¹,

Mascagni²,

Bruns³

et al. 2012

AJPS

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Corn (maize, Zea mays L.) hybrids expressing the flexibility trait in ear size (number of kernels per ear) are marketed for ability to give higher yields under adverse conditions. Altered kernel number is associated with altered number of silk, a major route for infection of kernels by aflatoxin-producing fungi such as Aspergillus flavus. The effect of plant density and irrigation level on yield and accumulation of aflatoxins and fumonisins in harvested grain was compared in a fixed-ear hybrid (Pioneer 33K81), a semi-flexible ear hybrid (Pioneer 3223) and a flexible ear hybrid (Golden Acres 8460) over a range of seeding densities (49,400, 61,750, 74,700, 86,450, and 98,800 seeds·ha -1 ) in non-irrigated, moderately-irrigated (6.4 cm soil water deficit) and well-irrigated plots (3.8 cm soil water deficit), during three years with variable rainfall. Irrigation increased yields in all hybrids, but in the absence of irrigation, yields were highest with the semi-flexible ear trait hybrid. In general, the hybrid with the flexible ear trait had lower optimal seeding densities than the other hybrids for each soil water regime. In general, kernel number was least affected by seeding density in the hybrid with fixed-ear trait compared to the semi-and flexible ear hybrids. The lowest levels of aflatoxin and of fumonisin contamination in harvested grain were associated with the flexible ear trait at all rainfall and irrigation levels, but there was no evidence that reducing stress by lowering seeding density reduced mycotoxin contamination. Inoculation with A. flavus resulted in much higher levels of aflatoxin and significantly higher levels of fumonisin contamination in grain of all hybrids under most conditions of rainfall and irrigation, suggesting that factors that promote A. flavus infection can affect production of both mycotoxins.

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Section: Experimental Site Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Planting Density, Irrigation Regimes, and Maize Hybrids with Varying Ear Size on Yield, and Aflatoxin and Fumonisin Contamination Levels

Abbas¹,

Mascagni²,

Bruns³

et al. 2012

AJPS

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“…The scientific irrigation scheduling method available to the Mississippi Delta producers has been the Arkansas Irrigation Scheduler, developed by the University of Arkansas for the humid Mid-South [19]. This Scheduler has been used by producers in Arkansas and the surrounding states for over twenty years [6].…”

Section: Irrigation Scheduling In the Delta Region Of Mississippimentioning

confidence: 99%

Irrigation Methods and Scheduling in the Delta Region of Mississippi: Current Status and Strategies to Improve Irrigation Efficiency

Kebede¹,

Fisher²,

Sui³

et al. 2014

AJPS

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Even though annual rainfall is high in the Delta region of Mississippi, only 30% occurs during the months in which the major crops are produced, making irrigation often necessary to meet crop water needs and to avoid risk of yield and profitability loss. Approximately, 65% of the farmland in this region is irrigated. The shallow Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer is the major source of water for irrigation and for aquaculture in the predominant catfish industry. This groundwater is being heavily used as row-crop irrigation has increased tremendously. Water level in this aquifer has declined significantly over the past twenty five years, with overdraft of approximately 370 million cubic meters of water per year. Moreover, the common irrigation practices in the Delta region of Mississippi do not use water efficiently, further depleting the ground water and making irrigation more expensive to producers due to increasing energy prices. Irrigation experts in the region have tested and verified various methods and tools that increase irrigation efficiency. This article presents a review of the current status of the irrigation practices in the Delta region of Mississippi, and the improved methods and tools that are available to increase irrigation efficiency and to reduce energy costs for producers in the region as well as to stop the overdraft of the declining aquifer, ensuring its sustainable use.

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“…Irrigations were scheduled using the Arkansas Irrigation Scheduler, a computer-based water-balance model developed for irrigators in the Lower Mississippi Delta region of the USA (Cahoon et al, 1990). The scheduling program used a simple water-balance model to estimate a daily soil-water deficit.…”

Section: Irrigation Schedulingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yield Response to Variable Rate Irrigation in Corn

Sui¹,

Fisher²,

Reddy³

2015

JAS

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To investigate the impact of variable rate irrigation on corn yield, twenty plots of corn were laid out under a center pivot variable rate irrigation (VRI) system in an experimental field near Stoneville, Mississippi. The VRI system is equipped with five VRI zone control units, a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, and computer software. Each zone control unit controls the duty cycle of the sprinklers in the zone to realize variable rate water application across the pivot lateral. The GPS receiver determines the pivot position for identification of the control zone in real time. Supplemental irrigation was scheduled based on evapotranspiration (ET) estimates. A randomized complete block design was used in this study, with five irrigation rate treatments (0, 50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of the rate determined using the Arkansas Irrigation Scheduler) and four replications. During the growing seasons in 2012 and 2013, VRI prescriptions were created based on the experimental design, and wirelessly uploaded to the system to apply varying amounts of water to each plot. The corn was machine harvested for yield. Results indicated that effect of irrigation rate on yield was not significant in 2012 and was significant in 2013. The treatment of 125% irrigation rate had the highest yield for both years. No significant yield difference between treatments in the 2012 season could be due to the sufficient rainfall in that summer. The ET estimates used in the irrigation scheduling might be lower than actual water demand of the corn crops for a higher yield.

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A Microcomputer-Based Irrigation Scheduler for the Humid Mid-South Region

Cited by 65 publications

References 0 publications

Effect of Planting Density, Irrigation Regimes, and Maize Hybrids with Varying Ear Size on Yield, and Aflatoxin and Fumonisin Contamination Levels

Effect of Planting Density, Irrigation Regimes, and Maize Hybrids with Varying Ear Size on Yield, and Aflatoxin and Fumonisin Contamination Levels

Irrigation Methods and Scheduling in the Delta Region of Mississippi: Current Status and Strategies to Improve Irrigation Efficiency

Yield Response to Variable Rate Irrigation in Corn

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