Class
Article
College
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
Department
Plants, Soils, and Climate Department
Faculty Mentor
Melanie Stock
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Nighttime irrigation is a widespread strategy to conserve water, as it reduces wind drift and evaporation loss (WDEL). However, daytime sprinkler irrigation may also conserve water by lowering the temperature and increasing the humidity of crop microclimates, thereby reducing evapotranspiration (ET). Therefore, the objectives of this study include: 1) quantify whether a water savings exists between day and night irrigation with a water balance approach, 2) analyze the microclimate effects by irrigation timing to determine any changes to WDEL and evaporative demand, and 3) assess the quality and yield response of two urban crops. In 2019-21, we established 12 field plots in Logan, UT (41.77°N, -111.81°W) to test two irrigation timings (night, 2:00-4:00 am, and day, 2:00-4:00 pm) with two urban crops (turfgrass and zinnia cut flowers) with a sprinkler system in triplicate. Field instrumentations include a central weather station, flow meters on sprinkler sets, soil moisture sensors at 8 cm and 18 cm depths, canopy air temperature and humidity sensors, surface temperature sensors, and catch cups. WDEL was 10% greater for daytime irrigation than nighttime in both 2019 and 2020. The total ET of turf was 533.5 mm (± 16.49) per season with daytime irrigation and 540.3 mm (± 11.96) with night. For zinnia, ET was 517.5 mm (±14.87) and 529.8 mm (±13.53) per season with day and night irrigation, respectively. There were no significant differences in the yield of turf or the marketable yield of zinnia in 2019 or 2020. The quality of the turf as average percentage cover was 96% with daytime irrigation and 93% with nighttime irrigation, and there were no significant differences with the dark green color index (DGCI). Our results across crop indicate that daytime irrigation increases WDEL, but reduces ET when applied during maximum daytime temperatures, compared to nighttime irrigation. A final field season will be conducted in 2021 and the study will be used by water managers for policy decisions that weigh public demand, system capacity of districts, and irrigation efficiency. Presentation Time: Thursday, 12-1 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/83738417563?pwd=SHlRcGdaaTdmVzVUOENqTnVHQ3UzZz09
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-12-2021 12:00 AM
Included in
Climate Commons, Plant Sciences Commons, Soil Science Commons
Day Versus Night Irrigation Loss From Sprinkler Irrigation of Urban Crops
Logan, UT
Nighttime irrigation is a widespread strategy to conserve water, as it reduces wind drift and evaporation loss (WDEL). However, daytime sprinkler irrigation may also conserve water by lowering the temperature and increasing the humidity of crop microclimates, thereby reducing evapotranspiration (ET). Therefore, the objectives of this study include: 1) quantify whether a water savings exists between day and night irrigation with a water balance approach, 2) analyze the microclimate effects by irrigation timing to determine any changes to WDEL and evaporative demand, and 3) assess the quality and yield response of two urban crops. In 2019-21, we established 12 field plots in Logan, UT (41.77°N, -111.81°W) to test two irrigation timings (night, 2:00-4:00 am, and day, 2:00-4:00 pm) with two urban crops (turfgrass and zinnia cut flowers) with a sprinkler system in triplicate. Field instrumentations include a central weather station, flow meters on sprinkler sets, soil moisture sensors at 8 cm and 18 cm depths, canopy air temperature and humidity sensors, surface temperature sensors, and catch cups. WDEL was 10% greater for daytime irrigation than nighttime in both 2019 and 2020. The total ET of turf was 533.5 mm (± 16.49) per season with daytime irrigation and 540.3 mm (± 11.96) with night. For zinnia, ET was 517.5 mm (±14.87) and 529.8 mm (±13.53) per season with day and night irrigation, respectively. There were no significant differences in the yield of turf or the marketable yield of zinnia in 2019 or 2020. The quality of the turf as average percentage cover was 96% with daytime irrigation and 93% with nighttime irrigation, and there were no significant differences with the dark green color index (DGCI). Our results across crop indicate that daytime irrigation increases WDEL, but reduces ET when applied during maximum daytime temperatures, compared to nighttime irrigation. A final field season will be conducted in 2021 and the study will be used by water managers for policy decisions that weigh public demand, system capacity of districts, and irrigation efficiency. Presentation Time: Thursday, 12-1 p.m. Zoom link: https://usu-edu.zoom.us/j/83738417563?pwd=SHlRcGdaaTdmVzVUOENqTnVHQ3UzZz09