Grant Information
| Knowledge Area | Subject of Investigation | Field of Science | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water | 210 - Water resources | 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism | 100% |
Confirming the reliability and improving the convenience and accessibility to growers of soil-based sensors for irrigation scheduling will be addressed in a number of studies (TX, KS, ID, NM, USDA GA, USDA-TX). Wireless sensors will be tested in laboratory and field settings using protocols established in previous studies, with multiple replicates in both laboratory and field settings and comparisons against standards recognized by NIST (USDA-TX). Wireless soil water sensor development will also continue as will investigations into COSMOS wide-area surface soil water content measurement as influenced by SDI and by green biomass (USDA-TX). Following calibration, a range of soil moisture sensors (e.g., Hydraprobe, TDR) and will be used for scheduling drip irrigation in greenhouse experiments (NM), and the information from soil moisture sensors will be used to augment/confirm ET-based irrigation scheduling in the greenhouse (NM) and field (TX). Under greenhouse conditions, soil, meteorological, root, and plant physiological measurements will be made throughout the growing season. Water and salt balances will be conducted and yield data will also be collected (NM). Soil water sensor/data logger equipment that allows remote grower access by computer or smart phone will be demonstrated in WA and ID. Irrigation scheduling criteria for shallow SDI will establish soil sensor trigger points to increase water use efficiency without reducing crop yield for peanut and its associated crop rotations (USDA-GA).
High resolution, site-specific rainfall data will be obtained from commercial providers, compared to regional weather station data, and incorporated into an existing stand-alone PC-based water balance model for irrigation scheduling in citrus and other crops (FL). Rainfall data, weather station ET (FAO Penman Monteith method), and user inputs will be used to estimate a water balance and calculate an irrigation deficit index, which will be provided to cooperating growers.
Target Audience
Nothing Reported
Changes / Problems
Nothing Reported
Training & Professional Development
Nothing Reported
Dissemination Streams
Nothing Reported
Next Reporting Steps
Nothing Reported
Target Audience
Growers of horticultural products (citus, vegetable, small fruits and sugarcane) in souther Florida
Changes / Problems
Nothing Reported
Training & Professional Development
An invited talk to citrus growers in Saville Spain on Nutrient Requirements and Concerns for Trees Affected by HLB. Provided three weeks of lectures to students in applied soil science at Soka University, in Tokyo, Japan. Education efforts included production practices that follow the 4Rs stewardship. IFAS state specialist, researchers and county faculty provided 4Rs based content for these well-publicized meetings that included hands on activities (collaboration with TNC and Farm Bureau Federation).
Dissemination Streams
Grower understanding of nutrient management practices and there impacts on nutrients in Florida's water sheds were increased through Dr. Morgan's development and conduction of these meetings and workshops. A total of over 1600 participants were trained at 18 grower meetings in nutrient stewardship programs where improved grower uses of nutrient stewardship best management practices were demonstrated.
Next Reporting Steps
Nothing Reported
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<br>What was accomplished under these goals? My research has evaluated the effect of irrigation frequency and quantity on citrus production using daily and seasonally adjusted irrigation schedules for trees affected by citrus greening disease. Annual water uptake by HLB affected trees are reduced by an average of 28% with maximum reductions during high evapotranspiration (ET) periods (April to September) in excess of 40%. It was determined that daily irrigation during these high ET period reduce the negative impacts on nutrient and biomass accumulation. Additional studies have quantified negative impacts of increased soil pH from long term use of water with high bicarbonates. Acidification of irrigation water and/or soil in the irrigated zone has increased nutrient uptake of HLB affected trees. <br><br><b>Publications</b><br>