Utilizing Subsurface Drip Irrigation and Conservation Tillage in Cotton Production Systems

Abstract

Ground water resources for irrigated agriculture are becoming increasing limited in semiarid regions of the world. Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and a no-till conservation tillage system were evaluated over 3 years on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, L.) production and fiber quality in north Texas. Subsurface drip irrigation significantly increased cotton yields over that from furrow irrigation in 2 of 3 yr. When averaged over 3 yr, the cover crop treatments on 1 and 2 m drip line spacing and a 100% ET replacement yielded numerically more than the companion treatments without a cover crop. Across years, the SDI treatments significantly increased loan values by an average of $0.045 kg −1 over furrow-irrigated cotton. Within SDI, deficit irrigation did not appear to affect cotton yield in proportion to the amount of restricted irrigation. In 2003, a 50% reduction in ET replacement under conventional tillage reduced yield only 22%, indicating that a 100% ET replacement may not be necessary to produce economically acceptable yields. Results from this study provide preliminary evidence that cover crops may actually prove beneficial under SDI systems and could play a role in developing best management practices that incorporate conservation tillage practices.

A 2020 Vision of Subsurface Drip Irrigation in the U.S.

“…In five of the seven studies, SDI had at least some benefit in cotton production, and in two studies it did not. Stated SDI benefits varied between studies but included yield increases (Sij et al, 2010;Lamm, 2016;Barnes et al, 2020;Sorensen et al, 2020), reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Bronson et al, 2018), and greater profitability (Sij et al, 2010). Negative responses attributed to SDI included a reduction in small rainfall event utilization (Goebel and Lascano, 2019) and a greater incidence of spider mite damage (Hollingsworth et al, 2014).…”

Micro-Level Management of Agricultural Inputs: Emerging Approaches

“…[226]. These can range from a small-scale subsistent farming (e.g., in water deficient areas of the developing world where subsurface irrigation tape can be connected to a water bucket for uniform delivery of water and nutrients to the crop root zone) through large scale subsurface irrigation practices already in use (e.g., in the production of cotton-in [227] and [228]) to futuristic, sophisticated "smart field" systems that will allow for precise micro-delivery of inputs into the plant root zone based on the availability of real-time soil data (such as moisture, mineral/organic nutrient, oxygen, carbon dioxide, N 2 O and ethylene content, pH, and potentially others) collected with sensor nodes that provide information on the biology of the air (aerial movement of pathogens), soil (microbial community dynamics) and plant (developmental stage, nutrition and health status). Progress in sensor technology, data transmission, their collection and processing capacity, and development of inexpensive next generation DNA sequencing technologies [229] that can deliver fast results on microbial population dynamics in the field will determine the speed, and the level of precision with which we can conduct research and create frugal input management practices that enhance soil, plant, and potentially, human health.…”

Longevity of Shallow Subsurface Drip Irrigation Tubing under Three Tillage Practices

“…These data are consistent with other research using SSDI. Yield data from Texas (Sij et al, 2010) showed that conventionally tilled cotton had the same yield as with no‐tilled cotton (cotton planted in rye) two out of three years. The three‐year average showed no difference between conventional and no‐till systems when irrigated using SSDI with laterals spaced 3.2‐ or 6.5‐ft distances (Sij et al, 2010).…”