Net Returns Comparing Plant-Based Irrigation Triggers to Current Practices in Georgia Cotton

Irrigation supplements rainfall to provide water amounts needed to achieve high crop yields.  Various methods or “triggers” have been devised and are used to assist producers to know when to irrigate and how much supplemental water to apply.  This study, conducted at the University of Georgia Stripling Irrigation Research Park near Camilla, GA, attempts to determine if efficiency in water use can be increased while still achieving high yields.  Plant-based monitors are evaluated and compared to current more common triggers to determine the potential for conserving water resources while maintaining high yield.  Irrigated production is also compared to non-irrigated production.  Yield, fiber quality, costs, and net returns are calculated comparing plant-based irrigation scheduling to current irrigation practices.  Results are given for a high-rainfall year (2013) and a more normal but sometimes dry year (2014).