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Reddy, Krishna

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Water Availability and Water

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Project : USDA ARS.

S62@9800

Research Project: Development of Sustainable Production Systems and Water Management
Technology for the Mid South

Location: Crop Production Systems Research

2010 Annual Report

1a. Objectives (from AD-416)

Design improved irrigation application technologies and scheduling techniques using automated technology to detect crop
water status and provide site-specific application guidelines. Develop cropping systems, conservation management practices
and crop rotations with improved water management and enhanced economic and environmental sustainability.

1b. Approach (from AD-416)

Improved irrigation scheduling and application technologies and water management tools will be developed and delivered to
producers to improve water use and crop yield and quality. The research will develop production systems and identify
management practices that improve soil quality and increase profitability by incorporating conservation production practices,
alternative crops and crop rotations. Profitability of management practices and production systems will be tested with economic
analysis. Fundamental principles of successful production systems will be delineated, and examined for impacts on risks,
competitiveness and environmental impacts.

3. Progress Report

Crop coefficients developed in weighing lysimeters are being used in the irrigation scheduler for cotton production systems.
National and state databases for soils, farm field boundaries, water sources, and weather are being incorporated in a web-based
decision support too! to assist producers in scheduling irrigation for major row crops in the area. Collaborators on the
development of this system are supported by two cooperative research agreements. The irrigation scheduler is being tested in
production fields for corn, cotton and soybeans this summer. A variable rate irrigation system is being tested in a corn field,
based on management zones. Com yield and water use efficiency are being determined as a function of planting configuration
(single and twin-rows), with and without irrigation. Changes in soil fertility, organic matter, and moisture are being determined
with changes in tillage. The impacts of soil parameters on cotton and soybean quality and yield are being measured. Changes in
cotton maturity with harvest and ginning are being determined. The impact of management practices and integration of
agricultural systems on indices of sustainability are being explored with a dynamic model.

4. Accomplishments

1, Determination of Factors Impacting the Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Agriculture. In the past, American
agriculture was focused solely on its ability to produce sufficient food, fuel and fiber to meet local, national and global demands.
While productivity will continue to be a major factor in food production systems, increased societal demands for environmentally
sound management, the need for rural community viability, and a rapidly changing global marketplace have resulted in
challenges for the current agricultural system. Researchers at Stoneville, MS; Auburn, AL; Orono, ME; and Mandan, ND; met with
producers to examine agricultural production systems common to the Eastern U.S. to identifying key principles, components, and
drivers that influence the development of production systems. Economic return, a critical component of a sustainable production
system, is partially a function of the marketability of products. Marketing channels are dependent on social drivers, including
education of producers and consumers, community support and community values. Development of local markets and
community support strengthens the link between farmers and consumers, and reinforces the economic sustainability of local
production systems. Production systems that demonstrated a decreased reliance on external risk reduction methods had greater
flexibility in altering the crop and livestock mix to better respond to consumer demand. To transition U.S. agricultural production
towards sustainability and address future challenges of resource limitations, food accessibility, nutrition and security, and
changing consumer demands will require enhanced linkages between consumers and producers, development of new
marketing channels, product acceptance, and knowledge within the consumption community.

Review Publications

Sassenrath, G.F., Halloran, J.M., Raper, R.L., Vadas, P.A., Hendrickson, J.R., Archer, D.W., Hanson, J.D. 2010. Drivers Impacting
the Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Management Practices and Production Systems of the Northeast and Southeast U.S.
Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. 34:680-702.

Last Modified: 2/23/2016|

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