Extension: Improved Irrigation Management and Grower Decision Aids
The irrigation management extension program has focus on improved crop nutrient accumulation
and improved water use efficiency. Improved irrigation management can improve nutrient
accumulation and reduce leaching of fertilizer nutrients to the environment. Low
volume irrigation practices (e.g. microsprinkler and drip) conserve both water and
energy through increased water use efficiency compared with seepage irrigation.
The use of seepage irrigation (i.e. the elevation of the water table by seepage
of water from perimeter and field ditches) requires large volumes of water and may
lead to nutrient leaching. Currently, nearly all citrus utilizes microsprinkler
irrigation, while most vegetable growers and all sugarcane production utilize seepage
irrigation. Ongoing vegetable seepage and drip management research will lead to
increased adoption of this irrigation practice in the future and greater extension
efforts. The current extension program in irrigation management emphasizes practices
to further improve water use efficiency in the citrus industry. In-service training
sessions have been used to convey research data and information to other state specialists
and county extension faculty members (Table 5). The goals of the irrigation management
and grower decision aid extension are: