Irrigation Scheduling on Barley at the Safford Ag Center, 1997

Abstract

An irrigation study on barley was made to determine the economical consequences of irrigating the crop when an irrigation scheduling program called for an irrigation compared to waiting 3 to 6 days for a water turn, from the ditch. The plots irrigated when the soil moisture depletion level reached 40% produced the highest yield. Yields were decreased 700 and 1000 pounds respectively for waiting 3-4 days and 6-7 days, respectively. The economics of using the pump are discussed and a chart is given to help determine a break - even point.