Drip irrigation evaluated in Santa Maria Valley strawberries

Hanson, B; Bendixen, W

Drip irrigation evaluated in Santa Maria Valley strawberries

Authors

Blaine Hanson
Warren Bendixen

Authors Affiliations

B. Hanson is Irrigation and Drainage Specialist, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis; W. Bendixen is Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, Santa Barbara County.

Publication Information

Hilgardia 58(1):48-53. DOI:10.3733/ca.v058n01p48. January 2004.

PDF of full article, Cite this article

Abstract

About 4,000 acres of strawberries are grown in the Santa Maria Valley using drip irrigation. In order to help growers irrigate more effectively, we conducted studies to determine crop evapotranspiration; irrigation system performance; patterns and levels of soil salinity; soil moisture content around drip lines; and irrigation water quality. We also developed canopy growth curves. Results at 13 sampling locations showed maximum canopy coverage of less than 75%. Crop evapotranspiration ranged from 12.2 inches to 15.6 inches. Irrigation-system evaluations revealed that most of the distribution uniformities were greater than 80%, considered acceptable. The electrical conductivities of the irrigation water ranged from 1 deciSiemens per meter (dS/m) to 2.36 dS/m; levels over 1 dS/m could result in yield reductions in strawberries. However, 79% of the samples had electrical conductivities equal to or less than 1.5 dS/m. Levels of soil salinity in the vicinity of drip lines ranged from 1 dS/m to 3.5 dS/m. This information can help growers calculate crop water needs and estimate irrigation set times.

References

Grattan SR, Bowers W, Dong A, et al. New crop coefficients estimate water use of vegetables, row crops. Cal Ag. 1998. 52(1):16-21.

Hanson B, Bowers W, Davidoff B, et al. Field performance of microirrigation systems. 1995. In: Microirrigation for a Changing World, Proc Fifth Int Microirrigation Congress April 2-6, 1995. Orlando, FL: Am Soc Ag Engineers. 74.

Hanson BR, Kaita K. Historical reference crop ET reliable for irrigation scheduling during summer. Cal Ag. 1999. 53(4):32-6.

Hsiao TC, Henderson DW. Improvement of crop coefficients for evapotranspiration. In: California Irrigation Management Information System Final Report, June 1985. California Department of Water Resources 1985.

Maas EV, Tanji KK. Crop salt tolerance. Agricultural Salinity Assessment and Management. ASCE Manuals and Reports on Engineering Practice No 71. American Society of Civil Engineers. 1990. 619-

Santa Barbara County Agriculture Commissioner's Report. 2000. Santa Maria Valley:

Also in this issue:

Effect of Pesticide Treatments on Nontarget Organisms in California Rice Paddies: I. Impact of Triphenyltin hydroxide: II. Impact of Diflubenzuron and Triflumuron

California's growing diversity drives profound change

Letters: January-March 2004

Science briefs: January-March 2004

Toll-free number aids Spanish-speaking firestorm victims; UC reserve burns

“Pre-caucusing” improves labor mediation

Rural youth report more frequent smoking and drinking

Eatfit guides adolescents to improve health and fitness

Yo-yo dieting drives up obesity

How can Californians be overweight and hungry?

Food insecurity prominent among low-income California Latinos

Rural Latino families in California are missing earned income tax benefits

Project engages culturally diverse parents in Proposition 10 decisions

Expanded production of labor-intensive crops increases agricultural employment

Irrigation and planting density affect river red gum growth

Autoguidance system operated at high speed causes almost no tomato damage

In vitro gas production provides effective method for assessing ruminant feeds

Tomato pomace may be a good source of vitamin E in broiler diets