Advanced Irrigation Engineering： Precision and Precise

Irrigation advances in precision irrigation （PI） or site specific irrigation （SSI） have been considerable in research; however, commercialization lags. SSI/PI has applications when soil texture variability affects soil water holding capacity or when crop yield or biotic stresses （insects or diseases） are spatially variable. SSI/PI uses variable rate application technologies, mainly with center-pivots or lateral-move or linear irrigation machines, to match crop needs or soil water holding constraints. Variable rate applications are achieved by variable nozzle flow rates, pulsing nozzle flows, or multiple nozzles on separate submains. Newer center pivot and linear machines are controlled by on-board microprocessor systems that can be integrated with supervisory control and data acquisition controllers for both communication and control of the variable rate application for specific sets of nozzles or individual nozzles for management zones. Communication for center pivot or linear controllers typically uses radio telemetry, wireless interact links, or cellular telephones. Precision irrigation has limited utility without precise irrigation scheduling （temporally and spatially）. Plant or soil sensors are used to initiate or complete an irrigation event. Automated weather stations provide site information for determining the irrigation requirement using crop models or simpler reference evapotranspiration （ET）, data to be used with crop coefficients. Remote sensing is being used to measure crop water status or crop development from spectral reflectance. Near-surface remote sensing with sensors mounted on moving irrigation systems provide critical spatial integration from point weather networks and feedback on crop ET and irrigation controls in advanced automated systems for SSI/PI.

Irrigation Termination Thermal Time and Amount on Cotton Lint Yield and Fiber Quality

Cotton irrigation in the Texas High Plains (THP) is often dictated by the well capacity and not by the water needs of the crop. The source of irrigation-water is the Ogallala aquifer and in many areas of the THP, the water table has declined to well capacities that deliver 1.3 to >7.6 mm/d. There is plenty of information on cotton responses to irrigation frequency and amount;however, information on when to terminate irrigation and its effect on cotton lint yield and fiber quality is scarce. Our objective was to evaluate over a 4-year period three irrigation termination thermal times corresponding to cumulative daily heat units (∑HU) of 890 °C, 1000 °C and 1110 °C from crop emergence, and three levels of irrigation (2.5, 5.1 and 7.6 mm/d) on cotton lint yield and fiber quality. Irrigation was applied with a sprinkler system on a 3-day frequency in Lubbock, TX. Results showed that on average the 7.6 mm/d level produced the most cotton lint yield regardless of the irrigation termination thermal time. Terminating cotton at 1000- °C ∑HU resulted in water savings of 25 to 50 mm for the 2.5 and 5.1 mm/d levels without significantly affecting lint yield. For the 7.6 mm/d and terminating at 890- °C ∑HU resulted in water savings of 100 to 115 mm. Average fiber length statistically increased with termination thermal time and level. This effect was most significant in years with the least rain and warmer air temperature. Micronaire increased with the termination thermal time in years with >500 mm of rain. Average fiber length uniformity and fiber strength were minimally affected by termination thermal time. As irrigation level increased, the average micronaire decreased, and fiber strength increased for the 5.1 and 7.6 mm/d irrigation. We concluded that in the THP for well capacities that deliver 2.5 - 5.1 mm/d irrigation can be terminated when the ∑HU reaches about 1000 °C from emergence without impacting cotton lint yield.

Scale Effects of STATSGO and SSURGO on Flow and Water Quality Predictions

Soil information is one of the crucial inputs needed to assess the impacts of existing and alternative agricultural management practices on water quality. Therefore, it is important to understand the effects of spatial scale at which soil databases are developed on water quality evaluations. In the United States, STATSGO (State Soils Geographic) and SSURGO (Soil Survey Geographic) are the most commonly available soil databases. The purpose of this paper was to quantify the effect of scale by employing STATSGO (1:250,000) and SSURGO (1:24,000) soil databases in predicting and comparing flow, sediment, nitrate and phosphorus losses for High Island Creek. This watershed is predominately agricultural and located in south-central Minnesota. The ADAPT (Agricultural Drainage and Pesticide Transport), model was calibrated for flow, sediment, nitrate and phosphorus losses over two years (2001-2002) using STATSGO and SSURGO soil databases. Then the calibrated model was used to evaluate alternative tillage and fertilizer management practices such as adoption of conservation tillage, and rate, timing and method of N- and P-fertilizer applications. Statistical comparison of calibration results with observed data indicated excellent agreement for both soil databases (STATSGO with r2 of 0.95, 0.97, 0.77 and 0.92 and SSURGO with r2 of 0.90, 0.97, 0.82 and 0.99 for flow, sediment, nitrate and phosphorus losses, respectively). However, STATSGO based predictions of annual nitrate-N losses were consistently greater than those with SSURGO database and vice-versa for predicted annual phosphorus losses for the alternative management practice that were evaluated.

Impact of Management Practices on Water Extractable Organic Carbon and Nitrogen from 12-Year Poultry Litter Amended Soils

Water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) and nitrogen (WEON) are two key parameters of soil water extractable organic matter (WEOM). Proper management of manure application rate in combination with tillage and cropping management could maintain appropriate WEOC and WEON concentrations in soils while decreasing the risk of their runoff from cropland and pastures. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of poultry litter (PL) application on WEOC and WEON in soils under different crops, tillage regimes, and grazing strategies. From 2001 to 2012, PL was applied at multiple rates to cultivated fields in a corn-oat/wheat-hay rotation or to pastures grazed by cattle or ungrazed. Soil samples (0 - 15 cm) were analyzed for KCl-extractable mineral N, and WEOC, and WEON contents. In addition, Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and fluorescence spectroscopies were used to characterize WEOC stability. Organic N levels were higher at the high PL application rates. The soil C:N ratio narrowed as the PL application rate increased. However, the soil from pastures which received PL tended to have a wider range of C:N ratios than soil from the cultivated fields, despite identical PL application rates. The spectral analyses indicated that WEOC properties were responsive to management and PL application rate;therefore, this parameter may be used as a guide to provide best management strategy for manure application.

Shoot and root traits in drought tolerant maize(Zea mays L.) hybrids

This study aimed to investigate the differences in shoot and root traits, and water use and water use efficiency（WUE） in drought tolerant（DT） maize（Zea mays L.） hybrids under full and deficit irrigated conditions. A two-year greenhouse study was conducted with four hybrids（one conventional hybrid, 33D53AM, two commercial DT hybrids, P1151 AM, N75H, and an experimental hybrid, Exp HB） grown under two water regimes（I（100） and I（50）, referring to 100 and 50% of evapotranspiration requirements）. Under water stress, the hybids P1151 AM, N75, and Exp HB showed more drought tolerance and had either greater shoot dry weight or less dry weight reduction than the conventional hybrid（33 D53 AM）. However, these three hybrids responded to water stress using different mechanisms. Compared with the conventional hybrid, the two commercial DT hybrids（P1151 AM and N75H） had a smaller leaf area, shoot dry weight, and root system per plant. As a result, these hybrids used less water but had a higher WUE compared with the conventional hybrid. In contrast, the experimental hybrid（ExpHB） produced more shoot biomass by silking stage at both irrigation levels than all other hybrids, but it had relatively lower WUE. The hybrids demonstrated different drought response mechanisms that may require different irrigation management strategies. More investigation and validation are needed under field conditions and in different soil types.

Towards smart farming solutions in the U.S.and South Korea:A comparison of the current status

Smart farming solutions combine information,data software tools,and technology with the intent to improve agricultural production.While smart farming concepts are well described in the literature,the potential societal impacts of smart farming are less conspicuous.To demonstrate how smart farming solutions could influence future agricultural production,agri-business and rural communities and their constituents,this article compares smart farming approaches and reasons behind the pursuit of smart farming solutions by the U.S.and South Korea.The article compares agricultural assets and productivity among the two countries as well as the technical and societal challenges impacting agricultural production as a basis to understanding the motivations behind and pathways for developing smart farming solutions.In doing so,the article compares some of the technological and social advantages and disadvantages of smart farming,dependending on the choice and implementation of smart farming solutions.The South Korean government has implemented a national policy to establish smart farming communities;a concept that addresses the entire agri-food supply chain.In the U.S.,a national plan to develop smart farming technologies does not exist.However,discrete smart farming solutions driven mainly by competition in the private sector have resulted in high-tech solutions that are advancing smart farming concepts.The differences in approaches and reporting of successes and failures between the two countries could facilitate the rate of evolution of successful smart farming solutions,and moreover,could provide pathways to facilitate sustainable development goals in developing countries where smart farming activities are currently underway.

Exceedance Probability of the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index in the Texas High Plains

Drought is a common occurrence in many arid and semi-arid regions that can have large negative impacts on water resources and agricultural production. Since agricultural drought is affected by both water supply and demand (precipitation and evapotranspiration), it is beneficial to include both in agricultural drought monitoring. The Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) was found to be a suitable drought index for monitoring agricultural drought. In this study, the SPEI calculated from agro-meteorological weather stations was used to determine exceedance probabilities at five levels in the Texas High Plains. In addition, the kriging method was used to interpolate between the stations to generate spatial maps for the exceedance probabilities. No significant differences were found between stations, indicating any station should be suitable to represent the Texas High Plains. Results showed drought conditions occurred at all five probability levels during the summer growing season for this region. Although differences were not significantly different, the interpolated maps showed a trend where minor differences in the SPEI values were associated with the West-East precipitation gradient. However, there was no trend associated with the North-South air temperature gradient. A risk analysis showed that the SPEI probability values can provide policy and decision makers with additional information for better water management in the Texas High Plains.

Planting Geometry Effects on the Growth and Yield of Dryland Cotton

The declining Ogallala Aquifer beneath the Southern High Plains may necessitate dryland crop production and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a well-adapted and potentially profitable alternative crop. The limited growing season duration of the Texas Panhandle and southwestern Kansas, however, imposes significant production risk due to incomplete boll maturation. Emphasizing earlier boll production that is usually confined to sites on lower fruiting branches may reduce risk, but offsetting high planting densities are needed to maintain desirable lint yield. Our objectives were to quantify planting: 1) row width and 2) in-row spacing effects on growth, yield, and fiber quality of dryland cotton. Field tests of row widths from 0.25 to 0.76 m and plant densities with in-row spacing ranging from 0.075 to 0.15 m were conducted from 1999 to 2005 on a nearly level Pullman clay loam (fine, mixed, superactive, thermic Torrertic Paleustoll) managed in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), cotton, fallow (W-Ctn-F) rotation. To expand the basis of comparison, cotton growth and yields were simulated using GOSSYM and long-term (1958-2000) weather records from Bushland, TX, as input for all combinations of 0.38 or 0.76 m row widths and plant spacing of 0.075, 0.10 and 0.15 m. Experimental and computer simulated plant height and harvested boll number increased significantly with increased row spacing and, occasionally, in-row plant spacing. Modeled lint yield for 0.38 m rows decreased by approximately 50% compared with the 582 kg·ha-1 yield for conventional row spacing, which was practically duplicated by field observations in 2001 and 2004. Measured fiber quality occasionally improved with conventional row spacing over ultra-narrow rows, but was unaffected by plant spacing. Because narrow rows and frequent plant spacing did not improve lint yield or fiber quality of dryland cotton, we do not recommend this strategy to overcome a thermally limited growing season.

Applied and Environmental Chemistry of Animal Manure:A Review

Animal manure consists of predominantly urine and feces, but also may contain bedding materials, dropped feed, scurf, and other farming wastes. Manure is typically applied to soils as fertilizer for agricultural production. The estimated amount of manure produced in 12 major livestock-producing countries is 9 × 10^9 Mg of manure annually. Manure is rich in plant nutrients. However, manure is also considered as an environmental pollutant when it is over-applied to cropland or following runoff into surface water. Manure can also influence global climate change via emissions of methane （CH4） and nitrous oxide （N2O）. Thus, increased and updated knowledge of applied and environmental chemistry of animal manure is needed to shed light on the research and development of animal manure utilization and minimization of its adverse environmental concerns. The advances in basic and applied studies of manure major components, organic matter, phosphorus, and nitrogen, primarily related to US livestock production are summarized in this review. Detailed focus was placed on three notable challenges for future manure research： 1） soil application of animal manure, 2） manure phytate phosphorus, and 3） manure nitrogen availability. This review may contribute to the global effort in sustainable and environmentally sound agriculture by stimulating new ideas and directions in animal manure research, and promoting application of knowledge and insight derived from manure research into improved manure management strategies.

Analysis of Carbon Functional Groups in Mobile Humic Acid and Recalcitrant Calcium Humate Extracted from Eight US Soils

Solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance （NMR） spectroscopy is a common tool to study the structure of soil humic fractions; however, knowledge regarding carbon structural relationships in humic fractions is limited. In this study, mobile humic acid （MHA） and recalcitrant calcium humate （CallA） fractions were extracted from eight soils collected from six US states and representing a variety of soils and ecoregions, characterized by this spectroscopic technique and analyzed for statistical significance at P 〈 0.05. We found that the abundances of COO and N-C=O functional groups in the MHA fractions were negatively correlated to soil sand content, but were positively correlated to silt, total N and soil organic carbon contents. In contrast, the abundances of the COO and N-C=O functional groups were only positively correlated to the content of clay in the CallA fractions, indicating that the two humic fractions were associated with different soil components. The two 13C NMR peaks representing alkyls and OCH3/NCH were negatively correlated to the peaks representing aromatics, aromatic C-O and N-C=O/COO. Comparison of the sets of data from 13C NMR spectroscopy and ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry revealed that the aromatic components identified by the two methods were highly consistent. The comparison further revealed that protein in MHA was associated with, or bound to, the nonpolar alkyl groups, but a component competitively against （or complementary to） aromatic groups in the MHA composition. These observations provided insight on the internal correlations of the functional groups of soil humic fractions.

Peanut skin in diet alters average daily gain, ruminal and blood metabolites,and carcass traits associated with Haemonchus contortus infection in meat goats~☆

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of tannin-rich peanut skin(PS)supplementation on growth performance,ruminal and blood metabolites,and carcass traits associated with internal parasite infection in meat goats under confined conditions.Twenty-one Kiko crossbred male goats were blocked by body weight(BW)and randomly assigned to one of 3 treatment groups.Experimental diets contained different levels of peanut(Arachis hypogaea)skin replacing alfalfa(Medicago sativa)pellets(ALP)in a control diet.Experimental treatments included:30% ALP(control),15% PS and 15% ALP,and 30% PS.Peanut skin was incorporated in the grain mix portion of the diets.Animals were fed once daily,and the intake was adjusted every 3 to 4 d.Each animal was each artificially infected with 5,000 larvae of the 3 rd stage of barber’s pole worm(Haemonchus contortus).Body weights,dry matter intake(DMI),and fecal samples for fecal egg counts(FEC)were taken at d 0,12,23,and 41.Rumen fluid and blood samples were collected at d 45.The performance period lasted 45 d and at the completion of the study,goats were harvested,and carcass characteristics,abomasal worm counts were measured.The results showed that DMI,BW,carcass traits,and meat color were not affected by PS supplementation,whereas average daily gain(ADG,P<0.01),blood glucose(P<0.001),phosphorus(P<0.05),and cholesterol levels(P<0.001)significantly increased with increasing levels of PS supplementation.There was a linear(P<0.01)reduction in rumen acetate to propionate ratio,ammonia-nitrogen,FEC,and H.contortus worm counts,with increasing levels of PS supplementation.This study shows that PS supplementation up to 30% of the diet can improve ADG and rumen fermentation while reducing gastrointestinal parasite infection in meat goats.