Deficit Irrigation Feasibility Study and Demonstration Project

摘要

Current irrigation practices in the Region are oriented toward maximizing crop yield, often resulting in wasted water and energy. Conservation of both water and energy can be achieved by scheduling the times and quantities of water applications to meet actual crop demands. Additional energy savings can be derived by scheduling irrigation based on optimum profit and not yield. This optimization is based on the fact that some crops can sustain significant reductions in water application while suffering only a small reduction in yield. This technique, known as deficit irrigation, allows the farmer to balance the costs of production against the economic return for his crops. Purpose of this project is to demonstrate and document deficit irrigation on farms in the Pacific Northwest. (ERA citation 10:027952)