1. The Hydrologic Cycle

2. Summary Water is a limited resource. Growers (farmers) have a responsibility to conserve water. Water can be conserved by capturing more water, using it more efficiently, and reducing consumptive use. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Water Keep water clean

3. Water Quality Pollution Point sources – Factories – Sewage plants – Manure storage – Feedlots Toxicity – everybody is responsible to prevent it

4. Water Quality (continued) Pollution Nonpoint sources – Nutrients – Pesticides – Manure applications

5. Water Quality (continued) Ways to avoid pollution: Reduce runoff Reduce erosion Reduce fertilizer losses Reduce pesticide use Store and apply manure properly Maintain wetlands Practice drainage management Install conservation buffers

6. Drainage and Irrigation Are tools to increase the productivity of land that is too wet or too dry More than 70% of world food are produce using I&D I&D strives to increase Water Productivity index of crop by increasing Irrigation efficiency.

7. Wetlands Areas that are wet long enough and often enough to support vegetation adapted to saturated soils are called “wetlands.” They have: –Hydric soils –Wetland hydrology –An environment that hosts wetland vegetation

8. Wetlands (continued) Wetlands play a role in: Water control Water quality Wildlife habitat Recreation and education

9. Wet Soils Have fewer ecological functions than wetlands Make up 25% of farmland Are identified by: –Standing water –Presence of water-loving plants –Soil color –Percolation testing

10. Artificial Drainage Surface drainage –Collect excess water –Channel water away –Collect excess irrigation water Subsurface drainage –Collect water through underground pipes

11. Irrigation Brings water to dry soils

12. Irrigation Systems Subsurface irrigation –Watering from below Surface irrigation –Border-strip irrigation –Furrow irrigation

13. Irrigation Systems (continued) Sprinkler irrigation –Hand-move irrigation –Solid-set irrigation –Traveling-gun irrigation –Center-pivot irrigation –Wheel-move irrigation

14. Irrigation Systems (continued)

15. Micro-irrigation –Drip irrigation –Micro-spray irrigation

16. Irrigate When 50–60% of available soil water has been used Soil moisture measurements indicate soil water is too low Evapotranspiration loss since last rain is high A set schedule is appropriate

17. Soil Moisture Can Be Judged By “Feel Test” and ribboning Potentiometer Evaporation pans

18. How Much Water? Dictated by: Soil texture Rooting depth

19. Saving Water Use the most water-efficient system available Level land carefully Use well-designed systems to fit the soil, crop, and terrain Use sealed ditches Use measuring devices

20. Saving Water (continued) Use the correct amount of water Use the most efficient amount of water Schedule irrigation according to crop needs Use computers to automate systems

21. Water Quality Considerations Suspended solids Boron Soluble salts

22. Natural Moisture Regimes Soil moisture conditions throughout a growing season are considered when implementing a natural moisture control regime. These systems include: Xeric—dry Mesic—average Hydric—wet

23. Summary Drainage and irrigation can be used to increase soil productivity. Drainage takes excess moisture away; irrigation supplies water to dry areas. There are a variety of methods for both operations. The goal is to avoid water stress to plants.