SSIMWUET Multi-Location Research (MLR) Activity Plan 1.1.4.2 Multi-Location Project: Site-Specific Irrigation Management and Water Use Efficiency Tools (SSIMWUET)

What is SSIMWUET? Part of the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) portfolio for Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems A multi-location plan under National Program NP211, Water Availability & Watershed Management, Problem Area 1: Water Management Congruent with and builds on project plans specific to the 11 locations involved

Who Is Involved? 7 Lead Locations: Soil and Water Management Research Unit, Bushland, TX Cropping Systems & Water Quality Research Unit, Columbia, MO Coastal Plains Soil, Water, and Plant Research Center, Florence, SC Water Management Research Unit, Ft. Collins, CO Water Management and Conservation Research Unit, Maricopa, AZ Agricultural Systems Research Unit, Sidney, MT (NP 216) Crop Production Systems Research Unit, Stoneville, MS Plus 9 others: Akron, Beltsville, Dawson, Kimberly, Lubbock, Oxford, Parlier, Pendleton and Temple

Objectives Develop tools to build prescriptions that direct irrigation systems to apply water at variable rates site-specifically and automatically: In response to static or quasi-static spatial data describing soil and other field properties (e.g., bulk electrical conductivity, soil texture, depth, slope, rock outcrops…) In response to dynamic soil, plant and field properties (e.g.; soil water content; plant water stress indices such as CWSIe, TTT, etc.; ET from energy balance models informed with data from sensor systems; disease and pest damage; nutrient status; irrigation supply capacity…) Develop plant and soil sensors for detection of biotic and abiotic stresses and soil-based corollaries of such stresses; and develop wireless networks of these sensors that are easily integrated into pressurized irrigation control systems.

Objectives Test wireless sensor networks in multiple soils and environments to determine accuracy of plant stress and soil property detection and robustness and operating characteristics of sensors and networks. Test crop stress index based and energy balance based irrigation automation systems across locations to determine viability of these systems in variable climates and soils (suggested crops are corn and cotton). Combine crop water productivity and climatic data from all relevant water management research (both irrigated and non-irrigated) into a database that allows synthesis of agronomic, water management (including irrigation and dryland/rainfed), crop choice, cropping system, soil property and climate effects on water use, yield and CWP.

Pathways to Benefits Operation and management alternatives will be rapidly commercialized through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) Developed technologies and management tools will be applicable to most of the 33 million U.S. acres that are currently irrigated with pressurized systems Synergism between sensor system and irrigation equipment manufacturers will allow rapid deployment of new sensor technologies as these are proven Traditional extension pathways for technology transfer to producers will be strongly enhanced and to some degree replaced by pathways that move technology from ARS to manufacturers and then directly to producers

Potential Benefits Decreased environmental impacts of irrigation; Decreased energy and water use through: Reduced deep percolation and runoff losses of water and nutrients; Increased crop water productivity and the ability to stabilize yields in the face of declining water supplies; Decreased water losses due to unintended irrigation of roadways, rock outcrops, water ways, diseased or otherwise blighted crop areas (e.g., areas prone to waterlogging); and Decreased runoff from highly sloped areas through control of irrigation application rate