|
Franklinton, LA | The Arkansas Extension Service probably has a publication on this as well as information on their web site. They also have software that will help you make management decisions.
The rate of applying the water will depend on soil type, field slope, run length and amount of water you are applying. For example, you need to apply more GPM per minute per row with sandy soil so it will push the water down the row. You also need to apply more GPM per minute per row on longer rows for the same reason. If you have more slope, you need to reduce the GPM per minute per row.
It will be helpful to know how many GPM your system can apply and compute the number of rows you can irrigate with one setting.
You normally shut the water off when it has moved a certain distance down the row. This will allow you to irrigate the entire field and not have excessive runoff at the end of the row. The timing for shutting the water off will depend on row length, soil type, field slope and experience.
You can use yield maps after harvest to compare yields on the upper and lower end of the field. This data will be helpful in deciding whether you need to increase or decrease the GPM applied per minute per row. By the way, this is still an art and not a science!
| |
|
Educate me about furrow irrigation
