Bill Robertson, Frank Groves, Robert Hogan, Leo Espinoza, Claude Kennedy, and Matt Cordell. University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, 2301 S. University, Little Rock, AR 72204
Drip irrigation of row crops is increasing throughout the United States. This irrigation method has the advantage of precisely applying irrigation water in both location and amount. Drip irrigation offers the potential of increased profits due to reduced water, fertilizer, and cultural costs and increased revenue due to increased yields. Common problems associated with drip include subsurface drainage, meeting the nutritional requirements, and maintaining the proper balance between vegetative and reproductive development. For this reason, current Arkansas cotton recommendations need to be evaluated for drip irrigated cotton. A low-pressure drip irrigation system was provided by Netafim and installed on the Cotton Branch Station near Marianna. Approximately five acres may be irrigated utilizing drip with the capability to compare to furrow irrigation. The system is designed to evaluate up to two delivery methods of water through the tape. Multiple parameters may be evaluated across irrigation methods. Questions concerning insecticide thresholds and the importance of fruit retention are to be addressed. The greatest concern centers on nutritional delivery methods and maintaining the proper balance between vegetative and reproductive development.
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See more of The Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 3-6 2006