Water Needs for Horticultural Crop Production Jim Shrefler, Extension Horticulture, OSU.
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Transcript of Water Needs for Horticultural Crop Production Jim Shrefler, Extension Horticulture, OSU.
Water Needs for Horticultural Crop Production
Jim Shrefler, Extension Horticulture, OSU
Acknowledgement
This presentation was adapted from “Water Quantity and Quality Requirements for Agriculture” presented by Mr. Steve Upson, Horticulture Consultant, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, at the Agriculture Water Source Development Seminar held in Ardmore Oklahoma on August, 6, 2013.
Water Quantity and Quality Requirements for Agriculture
Topics:
•Crop water quantity considerations •Crop water quality considerations
A common question received by Agricultural Extension Agents and Consultants: ‘I want to grow (name the crop). Can you help me?’
If it is a horticultural crop, the response will often be: ‘Tell me about your irrigation source’.
Why is the water resource so important?
The standard water application recommendation for crop production in Oklahoma is one acre inch per week.
1 acre = 43,560 sq ft
Volume equivalent = 27,000 gallons
1 inch
Water in a Harvested Crop
• How much water is in a watermelon crop• 30,000 lbs. of fruit per acre• 93% water• = 27900 lbs. of water• Water is 8 lbs. per gallon• 3487 = gallons of water
• Required for Photosynthesis
• Mode of transport for mineral nutrients and photosynthate
• Cools plant via transpiration
• Required for Photosynthesis
• Mode of transport for mineral nutrients and photosynthate
• Cools plant via transpiration
Why is water so important ?
Factors determining amount of water to apply include:•Evapotranspiration rate•System efficiency •Rainfall
Seasonal Single Site Evapotranspiration (ET) Table - Ardmore, OK
Date Short Crop ET (in)
Tall Crop ET(in)
Cool Season Grass ET (in)
Warm Season Grass ET (in)
Pan Evaporation (in)
08-02-13 0.31 0.41 0.29 0.19 0.42
08-01-13 0.24 0.29 0.22 0.15 0.30
07-31-13 0.22 0.25 0.21 0.14 0.27
07-30-13 0.22 0.28 0.21 0.14 0.29
07-29-13 0.19 0.24 0.17 0.12 0.24
07-28-13 0.23 0.27 0.21 0.14 0.29
07-27-13 0.20 0.23 0.19 0.12 0.24
Total 1.61 1.97 1.50 1.00 2.05
Question: I’m having a well drilled on my property. The driller has informed me there isn’t much of an aquifer to draw from. What is the minimum yield a well needs to make to supply an irrigation system?
Assumptions:• Well can be pumped continuously • Answer: 5 gallons per minute (gpm) per acre• 15 gallons per acre is a preferred minimum
Pecan Water RequirementsHeight Age (years) Volume (gallons/day)
Less than 5’ 1-3 1 – 4
5’ 3 – 5 2 – 5
10’ 4 – 7 3 – 7
15’ 6 – 8 7 – 10
20’ 8 – 10 13 – 17
25’ 10 – 12 21 – 27
30’ 12 – 13 31 – 39
35’ 15 42 – 53
40’ 25 55 – 70
50’ 40 86 – 108
60’ 50 + 125 - 155
Question: I have a one acre pond I want to use for irrigation. How many acres of pecan trees can I irrigate?
Assumptions:• Annual requirement = 54 acre inches • Water from rainfall is not accounted for • 66% utilization rate• Avg. depth = 7 ft • Answer: 0.75 acres
Crop water quality issues:
• Sand and silt
• Organic particulate matter: weed seed, algae, etc.
• Mineral precipitates/pH
• Salinity
Crop water quality issues:• Sand and silt• Organic particulate matter:
weed seed, algae, etc.• Mineral precipitates/pH• Salinity
Crop Irrigation water salinity standards:
•Ideal: 0-300 ppm TDS (total salts)•Good for most crops: 300-600 ppm•Caution: 600-1,000 ppm•Avoid: > 1,000 ppm total salts
•Other measurements: Sodium, Chlorine, SAR
Ag Water Requirement Resources
Ag Water Requirement Resources
Classification of Irrigation Water Qualityhttp://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2223/PSS-2401web.pdf
Understanding Your Irrigation Water Test Reporthttp://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-4630/L-323.pdf
Consider Pecan Trees' Water Needs During Droughthttp://www.noble.org/ag/horticulture/pecanwaterneeds
Water is the Most Important Nutrienthttp://www.noble.org/ag/livestock/waterimportantnutrient
Livestock Water Guidelineshttp://www.noble.org/ag/livestock/livestock-water-guidelines
Agriculture Testing Services: Water Testinghttp://www.noble.org/ag/testing-services/water-testing
Classification of Irrigation Water Quality
http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2223/PSS-2401web.pdf
Understanding Your Irrigation Water Test Report
http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-4630/L-323.pdf
Consider Pecan Trees' Water Needs During Drought
http://www.noble.org/ag/horticulture/pecanwaterneeds
Water is the Most Important Nutrient
http://www.noble.org/ag/livestock/waterimportantnutrient
Livestock Water Guidelines
http://www.noble.org/ag/livestock/livestock-water-guidelines
Agriculture Testing Services: Water Testing
http://www.noble.org/ag/testing-services/water-testing
Summary:
•Water requirements on the farm can vary in terms of quantity and quality needed.
•Water sources may or may not be suitable for specific farm needs.
•Understand these requirements before investing your time and money in purchasing a property or developing a water resource.
