Survey of Durum Production Practices, 2007

Abstract

Durum growers were surveyed in cooperation with the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service to determine production practices and their effects on yield and protein in the 2006 growing season. The survey was conducted in three regions: West (Yuma and La Paz counties), Central (Maricopa, Pinal, and Pima counties), and East (Cochise and Graham counties). Most of the durum in Arizona is grown in these three regions. We obtained responses from 83 out of an estimated 166 durum growers (50%) representing 46,331 out of 79,000 acres (59%). Durum was grown following cotton (41%), vegetables (27%), lettuce (16%), or other crops. The major varieties were Orita (30%), Kronos (25%), Ocotillo (16%), and Sky (11%). Herbicide was applied on 64% of the acreage. Flood irrigation systems accounted for 69% of the acreage, followed by furrow (17%). The crop was irrigated 6-7 times on average. The predominant soil texture was a sandy clay loam (36%), followed by sandy loam (35%) and clay loam (12%). The average planting date (germination irrigation applied) was December 21 in the Central region, January 4 in the West region and February 7 in the East region. The seed was planted at an average rate of 165 lbs/acre. Phosphorus was applied to only a third of the acreage, but when it was applied, the rate averaged 71 lbs P2O5/acre. Nitrogen rate averaged 224 lbs N/acre. Increased yield was associated with amendment application in the West region; certain varieties, amendment application, seeding rate between 120 and 159 lbs/acre, and nitrogen rate over 200 lbs N/acre in the Central region; and a seeding rate between 140 and 159 lbs/acre in the East region. Increased grain protein was associated with a previous crop of lettuce, lack of phosphorus application, and irrigation number in the West region; and a seeding rate of 140 to 159 lbs/acre and lack of phosphorus application in the East region. This survey documents associations, not cause-and-effect relationships, among durum production practices, yield, and protein.