Effect of Initial Soil Water and Level, Interval, and Method of Irrigation On Crop Water Use, Yield, and Leaching in Corn.

The objective of this model simulation study is to explore ways of enhancing the crop water use efficiency of available soil water and applied water, with minimum N leaching, in corn.  This study is an extension of the experiments being conducted at the Limited Irrigation Research Farm near Greeley, CO.  At varying initial soil water levels, including the measured water contents at planting, irrigation water will be applied to supplement rainfall, with and without accounting for soil water, in order to meet the potential crop evapo-transpiration (ET) demand at 100% and 50% levels. The interval of irrigation will vary from 3, 7, 10, to 14 days. These irrigation intervals encompass the intervals with drip, sprinkler, and furrow or flooding methods of irrigation. The results of the study will be used to develop site-specific recommendations for efficient water and N management.