Combining Tools Could Help Farmers Save on Water Usage

ARS researchers are helping farmers save on water usage costs while maintaining good crop yields. Water management is one of the biggest factors in farming costs as well as crop yields. Many of today’s farmers are applying irrigation scheduling models and soil water sensors to assist with their water management. However, these two technologies are typically used separately.  

ARS researchers in Maricopa, AZ, studied whether combining irrigation scheduling models and soil water sensors could improve water efficiency. Researchers compared cotton yield and water use outcomes when managed by three irrigation scheduling models and when those models were assisted by field measurements of soil water status. The results showed that these tools, when combined, could reduce irrigation requirements by as much as 20% while maintaining cotton fiber yield. Producers and commercial industries will also benefit from this research, which supports agricultural irrigation, U.S. cotton production, and the development of soil water sensing equipment.