Subsurface Drip Irrigation and GIS/GPS Technology for Water Conservation in the Southern High Plains

Declining groundwater levels in the Southern High Plains are threatening the sustainability of highly productive irrigated agriculture. This proposed project will demonstrate the water and Energy conserving abilities of subsurface drip irrigation and GIS/GPS (geographic information systems/global positioning systems) in cropping practices in the region. Although highly efficient, subsurface drip irrigation use in this region is practically non-existent due to limited information on system operation and application. The project will educate producers on 1) installation and management strategies for subsurface drip irrigation, and 2) the applicability and benefits of utilizing information technologies (guidance systems) in conjunction with drip irrigation and in more traditional settings. Over 3 years, these technologies will be used together in a system for production of corn, sorghum, and cotton, and will be compared with conventional systems of irrigation and management. Producers will be able to see differences between the two different production systems and the benefits associated with drip irrigation and GIS/GPS. Drip tapes will be set on a typical row spacing (30 in.) and management will be representative of common practices in the area. Water use efficiencies will be estimated for all crops and crops will be evaluated for a best fit into the drip-GIS/GPS system. Differences in system inputs (e.g. water, fertilizers, herbicides) and outputs (e.g. yields, economic returns) will be documented throughout the duration of the project.