Texas High Plains Initiative for Strategic and Innovative Irrigation Management and Conservation

Abstract

The strategic management of irrigation applications to improve water‐use efficiency and meet economic objectives has been identified as a key factor in the conservation of water resources in the Texas High Plains region. Two field level demonstration projects have been ongoing in the Texas High Plains to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of irrigation water conservation methods. Since 2010, the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District has evaluated corn production using 12 acre‐inches or less of applied irrigation water with a goal to produce 200 bushels per acre. In the South Plains, the Texas Alliance for Water Conservation (TAWC) has worked directly with 24 producers in Hale and Floyd Counties on 29 sites over the past seven years to monitor water use, soil moisture, crop productivity and economic returns on various cropping systems on over 4,000 acres. Both of these demonstration projects take an innovative approach to strategic irrigation management that uses new technologies with an overall goal to practice water conservation while maintaining economic profitability.

Factors Affecting the Choice, Intensity, and Allocation of Irrigation Technologies by U.S. Cotton Farmers

“…Farmers can utilize water more prudently by using water-efficient irrigation technologies in water deficient areas. In fact, in these water deficient areas, cotton farmers are shifting from conventional to more efficient irrigation technologies [13]. Additionally, farmers are laser land leveling so that water movement occurs more efficiently from one end to the other end of the field.…”

An Economic Analysis on the Transition to Dryland Production in Deficit-Irrigated Cropping Systems of the Texas High Plains

“…As a consortium of growers, industry, universities, and government agencies, the TAWC seeks to maintain individual farm profitability and improve water use efficiency to extend the life of the Ogallala aquifer and the economic viability of rural communities. Detailed records of inputs and production practices are collected and analyzed across all TAWC field sites (Weinheimer et al, 2013;TAWC, 2020).…”

Registration of CA 4007 cotton germplasm line for water‐limited production

“…The semi‐arid Texas High Plains receives less than 50 cm average annual rainfall and depends on the Ogallala Aquifer to support intensive crop, including cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.), production in the region. Irrigated crop area has declined as water use has exceeded recharge, leading to continued depletion of the aquifer (Weinheimer, Johnson, Mitchell, Johnson, & Kellison, 2013). Depletion of groundwater and high energy costs associated with pumping water to the surface affect cotton production, which makes selection for drought response a primary objective in cotton breeding.…”

“…According to Cook and El‐Zik (1992), water deficit during anthesis can result in reduction of seed cotton yield due to square and young boll shedding. Relatively high nodes above white flower can be an indication of a plant's ability as a “shock absorber” that enables it to cope with minor setbacks and stresses within short period of days for hot temperature (Weinheimer et al., 2013).…”

“…© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Plant Registrations © 2020 Crop Science Society of America water use has exceeded recharge, leading to continued depletion of the aquifer (Weinheimer, Johnson, Mitchell, Johnson, & Kellison, 2013). Depletion of groundwater and high energy costs associated with pumping water to the surface affect cotton production, which makes selection for drought response a primary objective in cotton breeding.…”