Agreement Number
13-093
Awardee Name
Michigan State University
Grant Type
Classic
Project Title
Drought Reduction and Water Conservation by Increasing Water Retention in the Root Zone
Awardee State/Territory
Michigan
Involved States/territories
Michigan
Award Year
2013
Start Date
End Date
Award Amount
$465,949.00
Production/Use
Farmland Agricultural
Resource Concern (Broad)
Soil
Water
Resource Concern (Specific)
Soil Health
Water Quality
Conservation Practice(s)
Irrigation Water Management
Project Background
The primary purpose of this project is to demonstrate and verify the accelerated production by cropping systems growing in soils retaining more soil water in their root zones.
The project objectives are:
1. Demonstrate and quantify improved soil water retention capacities in a manner that requires fewer additions of supplemental surface irrigation to crops growing on highly permeable soils converted by SWRT water saving membranes for the purpose of maximizing grain and biomass production in arid and humid climates.
2. Demonstrate and quantify water use efficiency of drought tolerant and susceptible cultivars planted on sandy, sandy loam and sand outcroppings for all soil types improved by strategic installations of SWRT water saving membranes.
3. Demonstrate and evaluate the efficiency and cost-benefit ratio by irrigation of crops growing on SWRT-converted permeable soils in arid regions with low rainfall and irrigated daily. As plant production increases more carbon will enhance the movement of clay particles to SWRT membrane surfaces increase water holding and nutrient retention capacities.
4. Expand and compare a GPS-driven Land Area Mapping and Membrane Processor (LAMMP) informational and training unit that integrates topographic/soil survey/harvest data with soil texture, SOM and field/laboratory sampling/analyses. Current crop modeling of these inputs will be used to identify specific installation depths of SWRT membranes and estimated harvest benefits which complete their return on investment (ROI) within 3 to 5 years. Water and nutrient prescription-based best management practices will used and continually modified for each site and readjusted each year to further enhance plant production during this three-year project and beyond.
The project objectives are:
1. Demonstrate and quantify improved soil water retention capacities in a manner that requires fewer additions of supplemental surface irrigation to crops growing on highly permeable soils converted by SWRT water saving membranes for the purpose of maximizing grain and biomass production in arid and humid climates.
2. Demonstrate and quantify water use efficiency of drought tolerant and susceptible cultivars planted on sandy, sandy loam and sand outcroppings for all soil types improved by strategic installations of SWRT water saving membranes.
3. Demonstrate and evaluate the efficiency and cost-benefit ratio by irrigation of crops growing on SWRT-converted permeable soils in arid regions with low rainfall and irrigated daily. As plant production increases more carbon will enhance the movement of clay particles to SWRT membrane surfaces increase water holding and nutrient retention capacities.
4. Expand and compare a GPS-driven Land Area Mapping and Membrane Processor (LAMMP) informational and training unit that integrates topographic/soil survey/harvest data with soil texture, SOM and field/laboratory sampling/analyses. Current crop modeling of these inputs will be used to identify specific installation depths of SWRT membranes and estimated harvest benefits which complete their return on investment (ROI) within 3 to 5 years. Water and nutrient prescription-based best management practices will used and continually modified for each site and readjusted each year to further enhance plant production during this three-year project and beyond.
Project targeted to Historically Underserved producers?
No
Final Report URL
Awardee Technical Contact Name
Alvin J.M. Smucker