Potential Improvements in Irrigation Management Practices: Water Savings and Costs

26 pages

Chemical Tracing Techniques for Evaluating Rill Hydraulics

Development of water erοsiοn and surface water quality control practices requires information concerning the hydraulic characteristics of upland areas. The relatively small flow rates normally found within rills make measurement of hydraulic parameters difficult. Chemical tracing procedures, originally developed for stream and river systems, have been successfully used to measure rill flow properties. A chemical tracer of known concentration is added to the rill and by knowing the degree of dilutiοn at a downstream sampling point, flow rate can be calculated. Rill flow velocity can be measured by determining the time required for a slug of tracer material to travel a designated distance. Measurements of flow rate and velοcity can be used tο calculate οther hydraulic variables. The ability to understand and properly mοdel rill flοw will improve as additional information [is gathered]

Darcy-Weisbach Roughness Coefficients for Selected Crops

Total hydraulic resistance on an upland agricultural site may be influenced by several factors including standing vegetation. In this laboratory study, Darcy-Weisbach roughness coefficients were measured for corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower, and wheat vegetation. Experimental variables used in this investigation in addition to crop type included plant population, row spacing, row orientation, and flow rate. For some of the experimental tests, a single row of vegetation was oriented within a flume parallel to the principal flow direction. For the remainder of the tests, rows of vegetation were placed perpendicular to the flow using row spacings and plant populations recommended by crop management specialists. Measurements of discharge rate and flow velocity were used to calculate roughness coefficients for Reynolds number values ranging from approximately 530 to 22,000. Regression equations which relate roughness coefficients to plant population, row spacing, and Reynolds number were developed from the laboratory data. With the exception of wheat placed perpendicular to flow, roughness coefficients produced by standing vegetation were negligible. On upland agricultural areas, total hydraulic roughness will be influenced primarily by frictional drag over the soil surface, and residue and ground cover

Hydraulic Characteristics of Rills

Rill density and rill flow rates were determined during rainfall simulation tests conducted at 11 sites located throughout the eastern United States. A mean rill density of 1.0 rills/m was found for the study locations. From measurements of the relative distribution of flow rates, a procedure is identified for partitioning flow between individual rills. Regression equations were developed for relating rill width and hydraulic roughness coefficients to flow rate. Equations were also derived for predicting mean flow velocity from visually determined measurements of advance velocity. Information reported in this study can be used to estimate hydraulic characteristics of rills

The MEK-ERK pathway negatively regulates bim expression through the 3' UTR in sympathetic neurons

Background: Apoptosis plays a critical role during neuronal development and disease. Developing sympathetic neurons depend on nerve growth factor (NGF) for survival during the late embryonic and early postnatal period and die by apoptosis in its absence. The proapoptotic BH3-only protein Bim increases in level after NGF withdrawal and is required for NGF withdrawal-induced death. The regulation of Bim expression in neurons is complex and this study describes a new mechanism by which an NGF-activated signalling pathway regulates bim gene expression in sympathetic neurons.Results: We report that U0126, an inhibitor of the prosurvival MEK-ERK pathway, increases bim mRNA levels in sympathetic neurons in the presence of NGF. We find that this effect is independent of PI3-K-Akt and JNK-c-Jun signalling and is not mediated by the promoter, first exon or first intron of the bim gene. By performing 3' RACE and microinjection experiments with a new bim-LUC+3'UTR reporter construct, we show that U0126 increases bim expression via the bim 3' UTR. We demonstrate that this effect does not involve a change in bim mRNA stability and by using PD184352, a specific MEK1/2-ERK1/2 inhibitor, we show that this mechanism involves the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway. Finally, we demonstrate that inhibition of MEK/ERK signalling independently reduces cell survival in NGF-treated sympathetic neurons.Conclusions: These results suggest that in sympathetic neurons, MEK-ERK signalling negatively regulates bim expression via the 3' UTR and that this regulation is likely to be at the level of transcription. This data provides further insight into the different mechanisms by which survival signalling pathways regulate bim expression in neurons

LOW PRESSURE CENTER PIVOT AND SOIL MANAGEMENT EFFECTS ON RUNOFF

The objective of this research was to determine the influence center-pivot sprinkler irrigation methods in combination with tillage practices for corn (Zea mays L.) have on surface runoff of irrigation and rainfall. A center pivot irrigation machine was redesigned to apply water by high-pressure-impact (HPI), low-pressure-impact (LPI), and low-pressure-spray (LPS) nozzles. The center-pivot was a standard 10-tower machine, 395 meters in length and 38.4 meters tower spacing. Three tillage systems were used -- till-plant (T), disk (D), and subtill (S) which was till-plant with subsoiling between rows with straight single shanks, 360 mm deep, after last cultivation. The soil was a Sharpsburg silty clay loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiudolls). Runoff was measured from two plots representing each tillage system under the span between towers 9 and 10 for HPI, LPI, and LPS. Hand samples of water were taken at specific time intervals during runoff events for sediment and nutrient analysis. The greatest average annual sediment yield within each irrigation system was for D tillage treatment (148 kg ha-1) and smallest was for S tillage treatment (2 kg ha-1). Total nitrogen in runoff followed a pattern similar to sediment with a range from 0.86 to 0.01 kg ha-I for D and S tillage, respectively. Runoff as a percentage of irrigation water applied for irrigation systems ranked LPS \u3e LPI \u3e HPI. Tractor wheel trafficked rows accounted for majority of the runoff

Hydraulic Conditions Required to Move Unanchored Residue Materials

Hydraulic conditions required to initiate movement of unanchored residue materials are identified in the present study. Selected amounts of corn, cotton, pine needles, sorghum, soybean, sunflower, and wheat residue are placed in a flume on a sand surface, and flow is then introduced at the top of the flume in progressive increments. The discharge rate and flow velocity necessary to cause residue movement are determined. The ratio of critical flow depth to residue diameter, critical Reynolds number, critical shear stress, dimensionless shear stress, and boundary Reynolds number are calculated from hydraulic measurements. Regression equations are developed to relate dimensionless shear stress to boundary Reynolds number and residue diameter. Boundary Reynolds number, in turn, is related to residue diameter and cover. Close agreement is found between predicted and actual parameter values obtained from the regression relations. The regression equations can be used to estimate the beginning of motion for other residue materials if residue diameter and cover are known

Performance of Seedigated and Conventionally Planted Crops

Seedigation is the use of a moving sprinkler irrigation system to broadcast seeds on the soil surface. Seed germination, plant characteristics and yield for grain sorghum, winter wheat and soybeans that were seedigated and conventionally planted are compared. When the seeding rates for seedigation were increased above that for conventional planting, and adequate moisture was available for germination, grain sorghum and wheat seedigated on tilled surfaces produced yields similar to conventionally planted crops. Seedigation of soybeans into fallow conditions, or when used as a relay crop, was unsuccessful. Shallow disking following seedigation did not improve germination or yield of grain sorghum or winter wheat. Using seedigation to plant wheat into soybeans offers good potential. Seedigating wheat into dense grain sorghum canopies was less successful

Performance of Seedigated and Conventionally Planted Crops

Seedigation is the use of a moving sprinkler irrigation system to broadcast seeds on the soil surface. Seed germination, plant characteristics and yield for grain sorghum, winter wheat and soybeans that were seedigated and conventionally planted are compared. When the seeding rates for seedigation were increased above that for conventional planting, and adequate moisture was available for germination, grain sorghum and wheat seedigated on tilled surfaces produced yields similar to conventionally planted crops. Seedigation of soybeans into fallow conditions, or when used as a relay crop, was unsuccessful. Shallow disking following seedigation did not improve germination or yield of grain sorghum or winter wheat. Using seedigation to plant wheat into soybeans offers good potential. Seedigating wheat into dense grain sorghum canopies was less successful

EC81-713 It Pays to Test Your Irrigation Pumping Plant

Extension Circular 81-713 discusses how it pays to test your irrigation pumping plant