Subsurface drip irrigation in California—Here to stay?

J.E. Ayars, A. Fulton and B. Taylor

Agricultural Water Management, 2015, vol. 157, issue C, 39-47

Abstract: Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) has been used in California for over 30 years. Adoption occurred first in high value annual row crops. Over the years as drip irrigation materials, installation equipment, and irrigation scheduling tools have evolved, SDI has gained wider acceptance and is now being used in perennial crops as well on a limited basis. We discuss the early research on SDI in California and provide examples of the current commercial practices in both annual and perennial crops. These examples demonstrate how research preceded on-farm adoption and contributed to the implementation of SDI in California's production agriculture. SDI is being implemented throughout the world and these examples of implementation in production agriculture will be of interest in countries adopting the technology. Significant benefits are identified in terms of increased yield, improved crop quality, reduction in applied water and reduced agronomic costs for weed control, fertilization, and tillage. Improved water management is crucial for a sustainable future and SDI will be one tool that is available to improve water productivity.

Keywords: Subsurface drip irrigation; Processing tomato; Prune; Walnut; Almonds (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (36)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:157:y:2015:i:c:p:39-47

DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2015.01.001

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