| The goal of this project is to quantify the effects of precision irrigation management and varying fertilization levels on leaching of water and soluble nitrogen beyond the root zone for corn-peanut rotations grown in the springsheds of the Suwannee River Water Management District. The potential for embedded electrical conductivity instruments to allow tracking of fertilizer through the soil profile will also be evaluated. Working in tandem, these two BMPs will provide better fertilization management and result in less loss of fertilizer to the environment and more efficient agricultural production in agricultural areas overlying karst aquifers.
Objectives
1) A research-based recommendation to advise growers when, and how much, to irrigate based on soil moisture sensor readings.
2) An evaluation of the ability of the soil moisture/electrical conductivity probe to detect nutrient leaching events and thus provide real-time nutrient loss feedback to growers.
3) Scientifically defensible measurements of water savings and reductions in nutrient leaching when soil moisture sensors and IFAS recommended fertilizer rates are used compared to grower practices.
4) Analysis of water balance components for each plot including rainfall and irrigation applied, volume water leached, and changes in soil moisture storage. |
