Effects of Seepage and Center-Pivot Irrigation Systems On Potato Production in Southwest Florida.

Florida produced more than one third of the US spring potatoes in 36,400 acres and generated a total value of more than $144 million in 2011. The typical climate in the potato production season is short of rainfall. The crop depends on irrigation. Seepage is the most widely used irrigation system. As a subsurface irrigation method, water is delivered to the plants by pumping a large amount of groundwater to raise the water table. Due to land development and environmental concerns there is a need to use center pivot irrigation for improving water use efficiency and minimizing eutrophication. The overall goal of this project was to explore the feasibility of converting seepage to center pivot irrigation for commercial potato production in southwest Florida. This study was conducted in Parrish, Florida to compare the effects of the two irrigation systems for commercial potato production. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. The irrigation volume applied for both systems was measured as well as soil moisture, water level, potato growth and yields.