Irrigation Solution - Cotton

Inside: Learn how drip irrigation is providing solutions for.....

Increasing crop yields Improving water use efficiency Optimizing input costs Controlling variability

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Cotton

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Average U.S. Farm Prices of Selected Fertilizers

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A solution for increasing crop yields...

bales/acre*4As a cotton grower, the key factors which drive your productivity are nutrients, disease and insect control and water.

Are you looking to improve yields from 2.5 bales/acre to 4 bales/acre or more? If so, you need an irrigation system that can precisely match your crops demand and optimize potential. When irrigated correctly, your crop can efficiently utilize water and nutrients to achieve better results.

Drip irrigation has many benefits including efficient use of water, reduction in the potential yield loss due to boll rot, and less weed competition by better control and placement of water. These and other benefits combine to produce a more uniform and higher quality cotton crop.

Drip Irrigated Cotton Field - Boll Set

*Yields and quality are dependent on many variables and results may vary.

Flower and Boll Development

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Source: Lamm, F. R., J. M. Bordovsky, L. J. Schwankl, G. L. Grabow, J. Enciso-Medina, T. R. Peters, P.D. Colaizzi, T. P. Trooien and D. O. Porter. 2010 Subsurface Drip Irrigation: Status ofThe Technology in 2010. In: Proc Fifth Nat’l. Irrigation Symp., Phoenix, Dec. 5-8.ASABE, St Joseph Michigan. 14 pp.

A solution for increasing crop yields (continued)...

Case Reference 1 –Arizona Cotton Study

Case Reference 2 – Cotton Lint Yields in Texas

A 2001 study compared subsurface drip irrigation (high irrigation efficiency) with conventionally-furrow irrigated (with low irrigation efficiency in this study) cotton: Regular measurements included soil moisture, flower tagging, general plant growth and development measurements, and lint yield. Results indicate that an increase in lint yield of approximately 250 pounds lint/acre was obtained using around 1/3 less irrigation water with the drip irrigation system. Pounds of lint produced provided the most dramatic results. The differences are realized by improving the crop water demands with appropriate irrigation management.

The chart to the right shows that the fruit retention levels for the drip irrigated field were consistency higher over the growing season due to improved soil-plant-water relations with a more efficient irrigation management.

Three separate trials were conducted in Texas demonstrating the variations in cotton lint yield comparing sprinkler and subsurface drip irrigation. This study demonstrated that irrigated productivity is up to 24% higher in subsurface drip irrigation. These results numerically demonstrate the ability of a subsurface drip system to increase pounds/acre of lint when the water is delivered to the cotton plants effective root zone increasing transpiration and simultaneously reducing evaporation losses.

Source: E.R. Norton and J.C. Silvertooth (2001). Evaluation of a Drip Vs. Furrow Irrigated Cotton Production System2001 Arizona Cotton Report, The University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

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A solution for increasing crop yields (continued)...

Case Reference 3 –Arkansas Study

Drip irrigation has an effect on each growth stage of a crop. From early plant growth to fruit retention, each stage presents an opportunity to optimize total yield. In a recent study evaluating drip irrigation in Arkansas, researchers found that drip irrigation produced 40% to 65% yield increases over dryland and furrow irrigation.

Source: Evaluation of Drip Irrigation for Cotton in Arkansas. William C. Robertson, Frank E. Groves, Robert Hogan, Jr., Leo Espinoza, M. Ismanov, and Robin Franks. 2006

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Studies have shown that utilization of drip irrigation results in improved water use efficiency. Water use efficiency (WUE) is defined as a measurement of the water used for each unit of crop produced.

In the chart to the right, a study shows that the drip irrigated fields (optimally managed to match crop-water demand) achieved between 70-80 lint yield produced per acre-inch of water.

A solution for improving water use efficiency...

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Water Use Efficiency - Evaluation of a Drip Vs. Furrow Irrigated Cotton Production System. - 2001 Arizona Cotton Report, The University fo Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

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Source: E.R. Norton and J.C. Silvertooth (2001). Evaluation of a Drip Vs. Furrow Irrigated Cotton Production System. 2001 Arizona Cotton Report, The University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Results may vary based on variety.

Water Use Efficiency

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A solution to optimizing input costs...

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Average U.S. Farm Prices of Selected Fertilizers

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1. Minimize nitrogen volatilization. When urea is converted into a gas and lost to the atmosphere, volatilization takes place. Using a drip fertigation system allows nitrogen to be applied directly into the soil solution close to the plants roots. This significantly increases the chance of nutrient uptake, minimizing volatilization.

2. Minimize nitrogen loss. Drip fertigation is a very efficient process where a greater percentage of the applied nutrients are utilized.

3. Reduce number of tractor passes. With the option to apply nutrients through the drip line not only do you reduce labor and fuel requirements, you also

help reduce total soil compaction.

4. Increased uniformity of fertilizer delivery. Fertilizers can now be distributed to your total wetted area across the entire field with high uniformity.

5. Allows in season application of P & K fertilizers. Application via fertigation has an increased efficiency, since these elements are precisely placed in the plant root zone. Drip irrigation optimizes uptake.

Drip irrigation systems play an important role in reducing other input costs associated with growing cotton. Utilizing a drip irrigation system can reduce:

- In-season cultivation - furrow making, weeding (weed pressure) and other labor intensive farm practices

- Pumping costs (due to lower pumping requirements)

- Labor costs (from increased automation)

- Losses of chemicals and fertilizers (fertigation) due to inefficiencies

- Pesticide costs

The chart to the right shows prices of the selected fertilizers rising. With the help of drip irrigation, there is an opportunity to increase the efficiency of fertilizer applications.

Benefits of Drip Fertigation:

Source: Agricultural Prices, National Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA.

Average U.S. Farm Prices of Selected Fertilizers

Nitrogen solutions (30%) ■Urea 44-46% nitrogen ■Super-phosphate 44-46% phosphate ■Diammonium phosphate (18-46-0) ■ Potassium chloride 60% potassium ■

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Drip irrigation offers a solution to manage your crops requirements

Precise Water Application

Irrigating under a flood regime typically involves irrigating every 10 days, where plants are inundated with water, then left to dry out. This method of irrigating produces alternative periods of high and low vegetative growth. Drip operates effectively by applying small volumes of water more frequently. This process optimizes the correct plant stress levels to ultimately produce plants with a higher boll density than can be achieved via flood irrigation.

Uniform Distribution of Water

No other irrigation technique can provide the same level of distribution uniformity (DU) that drip can. Drip irrigation systems can provide a distribution uniformity of 93% and higher. The higher the uniformity the lower the variability.

A solution to controlling variability...

Source: Harris, G. (2006). Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI)- Advantages and Limitations. Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.

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A solution to optimizing input costs...

Reduce uncertainties associated with variable rainfall patterns

Increase field access

Improve crop uniformity

Control plant stress

Reduce weed pressure

Maintain consistent soil moisture

Apply macro and micro nutrients in all stages of the crop (spoon feed the plant)

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Case study outcomes are for informational purposes only and actual results may vary.This literature has been compiled for worldwide circulation and the descriptions, photos, and information are for general purpose use only. Please consult with an irrigation specialist and technical specifications for proper use of John Deere Water products. Because some products are not available in all regions, please contact your local dealer for details. John Deere Water reserves the right to change specifications and the design of all products without notice. John Deere’s green and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer symbol and John Deere are trademarks of Deere & Company. Every effort has been used to ensure that product information, including data sheets, schematics, manuals and brochures are correct. However information should be verified before making any decisions based on this information.

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Your total irrigation solution...

BR_CottonUS_R4_ENG_W12_0798

We know how to develop a solution that meets your unique needs. Whether you have cracking clays or sandy loams, water from wells or rivers, John Deere Water can customize an irrigation system optimized to your requirements.

Whether you are an experienced drip irrigation operator or starting from scratch, there is a John Deere Water solution that you can rely on to provide long-term irrigation performance in all your cotton fields.

With 14 manufacturing locations worldwide, providing irrigation solutions in over 100 countries, John Deere Water is one of the world’s largest and most innovative irrigation companies.

Available exclusively from authorized John Deere Water dealers.

Water. You can’t grow without it.