Alfalfa Yield Response to Ground Water after Termination of Irrigation
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 121, Issue 5
Abstract
In the absence of irrigation, water from a water table below the root zone can sometimes sustain crop growth. This study was conducted to determine whether alfalfa grown without irrigation, but in the presence of a water table below the root zone, can give normal yields. Three irrigation treatments were applied: irrigating during the first two growth cycles, irrigating during the first three growth cycles, and no irrigation restrictions for the four growth cycles of the irrigation season. Water-table depths midway between parallel tile drains were evaluated. Yields from the midway position between drains were compared with yields nearer the drains. The influence of occurrence/nonoccurrence of irrigation on yield was also tested by regression analysis. Water tables tended to be deeper in the absence of irrigation but differences were small among the three treatments. Yield was dependent on the occurrence of irrigation but not on water-table depth. Most important, nonirrigation caused an 80% drop in yield.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 121 • Issue 5 • September 1995
Pages: 364 - 366
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Sep 1, 1995
Published in print: Sep 1995
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