Potential Effects of Irrigation Practices on Crop Yields in Grand Valley

摘要

An analysis has been undertaken to determine the economically optimal seasonal depth of irrigation water to apply under conditions of both limited and plentiful water supply. The objective was to determine if general guidelines having practical utility could be postulated for all water supply situations. An extensive range of literature pertaining to the relationship between crop yield and the amount of water applied has been reviewed and differences suggested by various authors have been resolved. In addition, 32 plots of corn and 10 plots of wheat were grown under different irrigation regimes in the Grand Valley of Colorado to supplement the results of other researchers and to provide further insight into the effects of stress at different stages of plant growth.