Irrigation water use efficiency of crop calorie and protein production in Arizona

Abstract

Irrigation water use efficiencies were studied for the State of Arizona in terms of nutritive values such as calories and proteins. The major crops and crop groups, 15 counties, 6 water planning districts, and four irrigation systems were evaluated. Cotton accounted for more than 40 percent of the Statewide total protein production. The most efficient calorie producing crop was potatoe. The feed crops produced the highest percentage of protein. On yield per acre basis, the leading counties were La Paz and Yuma. District IV produced the highest calorie and protein both per acre and acre-foot basis. The overall output/input ratio for the state's irrigated agriculture was found to be 1.79. This ratio was based on 450 feet of pumping lift and considering energy used to deliver and distribute water as the only direct energy input.