Date of Award:
5-1991
Document Type:
Dissertation
Degree Name:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department:
Economics and Finance
Department name when degree awarded
Economics
Committee Chair(s)
Jay C. Andersen
Committee
Jay C. Andersen
Committee
R. John Hanks
Committee
E. Bruce Godfrey
Committee
Herbert H. Fullerton
Committee
Donald L. Snyder
Abstract
The economic impact of reducing the amount of nitrate leached out of the root zone under irrigation in the arid West was examined. A general introduction into the nature of the problem and a review of the literature was provided in chapter I. In chapter ll the economic incentives of irrigation management were evaluated under the assumptions of both profit-maximizing and utility-maximizing (in reducing cost and effort expended in irrigation) decision-making criteria. The results indicate that there is a coincidence of interests of the farmer and the environment. Both behaviors result in less nitrate leaching than less profitable or less utilityproducing irrigating practices. In chapter lli the economic impact of reducing the amount of nitrate leached out of the root zone under irrigation with various nitrogen sources and application methods was examined. The economic incentives of nitrogen management were evaluated under the assumption of profit-maximizing behavior. The results indicate that there is a coincidence of interests for irrigators who respond to economic incentives and environmentalists who wish to reduce nitrate residuals in irrigation drainage and the groundwater. Profit-maximizing behavior results in less nitrate leaching than less profitable irrigating practices when salt balance is not a major concern.
Checksum
3a82a0815e00262446939bde795ee79b
Recommended Citation
Miller, Gilbert D., "A Simulation of the Economic Effects of Alternative Soil Types and Nitrogen Sources on Nitrate Leaching on Irrigated Agriculture in Utah" (1991). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 4041.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4041
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