Keywords
irrigation, subsurface drip irrigation, alfalfa, evapotranspiration
Abstract
This subsurface drip-irrigated study was conducted from 2020 to 2021 at the Kansas State University Northwest Research-Extension Center near Colby, KS, to evaluate five deficit irrigation strategies for alfalfa. All strategies were irrigated similarly (100% of Evapotranspiration (ET) minus Rain) through the first seasonal cutting. Following the first cutting, treatments were 1) Irrigate to replace 85% ET minus Rain; 2) Irrigate to replace 50% ET minus Rain between Cutting 2 and 3, then 85% ET-Rain; 3) Irrigate to replace 50% ET minus Rain between Cutting 2 and 4, then 85% ET-Rain; 4) Irrigate to replace 70% ET minus Rain between Cutting 2 and 4, then 85% ET-Rain; and 5) Irrigate to replace 25% ET minus Rain between Cutting 2 and 3, then 85% ET-Rain. Average alfalfa forage dry matter yields varied less than 5% across treatments (9.52 vs. 9.94 ton/a) while irrigation requirements varied 20% (17.50 vs. 22.03 inches). Overall, the best treatments appeared to be treatments 2 and 3, obtaining both good yields and greater water productivity.
Recommended Citation
Lamm, F. R.; Reyes-Esteves, R.; and Harmoney, K. R.
(2022)
"Deficit Irrigation Strategies for Subsurface Drip-Irrigated Alfalfa,"
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports:
Vol. 8:
Iss.
8.
https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.8331
Rights Statement
