Recipient Organization
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
LUBBOCK,TX 79409
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Water scarcity threatens agricultural sustainability in semi-arid regions with depleting irrigation resources. Cotton and sorghum are drought tolerant and can enhance profitability and soil health in water-constrained systems. However, integrating these crops into a unified cropping system, especially regarding optimal irrigation practices when both crops are grown together, demands further investigation.This proposal aims to enhance agricultural resilience and water use efficiency in the Texas High Plains by optimizing a cotton-sorghum cropping system. The objectives are to: 1) Determine optimal planting dates and crop varieties for maximizing yield and water use efficiency; 2) Evaluate irrigation strategies and economic returns at various scales and soil types; 3) Use remote sensing technology to monitor crop growth and improve irrigation management; and 4) Implement extension programs to disseminate findings and promote adoption among farmers.The study will involve small plot experiments in the Texas High Plains, using advanced technologies, including satellite and UAV imagery, for real-time monitoring. The data will be incorporated into the DSSAT modeling system to predict optimal irrigation strategies and economic outcomes. Collaborative efforts with local producers will test these strategies in commercial settings. This research seeks to provide actionable insights for improving water management and crop profitability, contributing to the long-term sustainability of agriculture in water-scarce regions.This proposal addresses AFRI 2024 - A1811 (Topic 18): developing irrigation scheduling technologies to maximize water-use efficiency while optimizing profitability of cropping systems for cotton and sorghum in the same field.
Animal Health Component
60%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
60%
Developmental
20%
Goals / Objectives
This proposal aims to enhance agricultural resilience and water use efficiency in the Texas High Plains by optimizing a cotton-sorghum cropping system. The objectives are to: 1) Determine optimal planting dates and crop varieties for maximizing yield and water use efficiency; 2) Evaluate irrigation strategies and economic returns at various scales and soil types; 3) Use remote sensing technology to monitor crop growth and improve irrigation management; and 4) Implement extension programs to disseminate findings and promote adoption among farmers.
Project Methods
The proposed project employs a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to address the agronomic and socioeconomic challenges associated with the assessment and adoption of a cotton-sorghum cropping system. A diverse and integrated team from three institutions across the Texas High Plains with specialized knowledge and experience in irrigation scheduling, precision agriculture, extension, economics, and social science will collaborate to tackle these challenges. The project's design centers around research, education, outreach, and extension activities to achieve its objectives, ensuring that the outcomes are applicable and beneficial to producers with a wide range of soil and environmental conditions.Developing a cotton-sorghum cropping system to enhance water use efficiency and crop resilience in a semi-arid regionSmall plot studies will be conducted in the northern and southern regions of the Texas High Plains to explore various factors affecting cotton-sorghum cropping systems. These studies will involve a diverse combination of irrigation scheduling, cultivar selection, and planting dates, providing insights into crop performance under different environmental conditions. To complement these field studies, remote sensing technologies such as satellite and UAS imagery will be utilized to monitor crop health, water stress, and growth dynamics across different plots. This approach will allow for real-time assessment of plant conditions, enhancing our ability to make informed decisions about irrigation and management practices. Observations from these studies will be incorporated into DSSAT models, enabling predictions to be extended to soil type and county and regional scales, offering insights into management strategies for the Texas High Plains. Collaborations will be established with local producers to test these strategies in commercially managed fields, ensuring the research findings are both scientifically robust and practically applicable, thereby facilitating the adoption of improved cropping practices.