FO-03875     Reviewed 1991

To Order

Irrigation Water Management Considerations for Sandy Soils in Minnesota

Summary

An effective irrigation water management program is needed to produce efficient and profitable yields for an irrigated crop and to minimize the potential risks of leaching of some agrichemicals into the ground water. Excessive irrigation is likely to cause some agrichemicals to leach into the underlying ground water.

Several irrigation scheduling and soil water monitoring methods are available to assist the irrigating farmer in managing a crops' soil water needs and knowing when to irrigate. If the irrigation operator hasn't time to regularly monitor soil water status in the field for water scheduling, hire an irrigation crop consultant to assist in achieving an effective irrigation water management program.

Obtain more information on irrigation water management practices from personnel in the county offices of the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Soil and Water Conservation District, and Soil Conservation Service, or from their respective state irrigation/water quality specialists.

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References Cited

Bergsrud, F., J. Wright, H. Werner, and G. Spoden. 1982. Irrigation System Design Capacities for West Central Minnesota as Related to Available Water Capacity and Irrigation Management. American Society of Agricultural Engineers Paper No. NCR 82-101. St. Joseph, Michigan.

Curwen, D. and L. Massie. 1985. WISP—The Wisconsin Irrigation Scheduling Program. Proceedings of the National Conference on Advances in Evapotranspiration. American Society of Agricultural Engineers. Michigan.

Curwen, D. and L. Massie. 1986. Wisconsin Irrigation Scheduling Program Software. University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service. Madison, Wisconsin.

Dorn, D. Eisenhauer, and P. Fischbach. 1989 Irrigation Scheduling Using Tensiometers in Sandy Soils. Irrigation Shortcourse Proceedings, Cooperative Extension Service University of Nebraska.

Fischbach, P.E. (editor) 1988. Irrigation Scheduling—Management Handbook. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Nebraska.

Hergert, G. W. 1986. Nitrate leaching through sandy soil as affected by sprinkler irrigation. Journal of Environmental Quality, 15:272-278.

Kranz, W. 1989. Irrigation Scheduling and Water Quality Concerns. Central Plains Irrigation Short Course Proceedings. Cooperative Extension Service University of Nebraska.

Nieber, J. 1989. Personal communication on the typical recharge pattern of the surfical aquifers in central Minnesota. Agricultural Engineering Dept. University of Minnesota. St. Paul, Minnesota.

Ritter, W. F., R. W. Scarborough, and A. M. Chirnside: 1988. Irrigation and Nitrogen Management Impacts on Groundwater Quality. Proceedings of The National Conference on Irrigation and Drainage. American Society of Civil Engineers. New York.

Ritter, W. F. 1986. Nitrate Leaching Under Irrigation—A Review. American Society of Agricultural Engineers Paper No. 86-2601. St. Joseph, Michigan.

Rogers, D.H. 1989. Concepts of Irrigation Scheduling. Central Plains Irrigation Short Course Proceedings. Cooperative Extension Service, Kansas State University.

Seeley, M. and G. Spoden. 1982. CAWAP Part 2 Background of Crop Water Use Models. University of Minnesota Extension Service. Special Report 100-1982.

Stegman, E.C., A. Bauer, J.C. Zubriski, and J. Bauder. 1977. Crop curves for water balance irrigation scheduling in S.E. North Dakota. Res. Report No. 66 Agricultural Experiment Station, North Dakota State University.

Stegman, E.C. and D.A. Coe. 1984. Irrigation Scheduling Software for Microcomputers. American Society of Agricultural Engineers Paper No. 84301. St. Joseph, Michigan.

Stegman, E.C. 1988. Chapter V. Water Management. Best Management Practices Manual for Oakes Irrigation Area. North Dakota State University.

Wright, J. and F. Bergsrud. 1986. Irrigation Scheduling Checkbook Method. University of Minnesota Extension Service FO-1322.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Extension Service, under special project number 89-EWQI-1-9180.

Produced by Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension.

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