Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to NRP
DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES CONSIDERING FUTURE POPULATIONS AND RESOURCE SCARCITY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1018035
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 16, 2018
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2023
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
Tropical Research and Education Center, Homestead
Non Technical Summary
Global population increase remains one of the biggest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. What makes this challenge even more daunting is that available resources (e.g., land and freshwater) are limited, and perhaps shrinking in most places both in quantity and quality. In addition, climate change and variability pose serious risks on the availability of freshwater resources for agricultural and urban water users. Intensification of agricultural production systems could be a viable option to increase agricultural production. However, agricultural intensification requires increases in the use of farm inputs (e.g., commercial fertilizers, and organic and municipal wastes) that could impair quality of water bodies if not done in a responsible manner.To sustain current and future economic growths and associated population needs for food, feed, and fiber, the efficiency of agricultural systems need to be improved using improved technologies that would increase the productivities of these limitedly available input resources while at the same time ensuring environmental sustainability. Agriculture is by far the largest consumer of water and thus, enhancing water use efficiency of the sector would have a significant impact. Overall, there is an increasing pressure on the agricultural and urban sectors to become resource efficient and climate resilient. This would ensure that the impacts of climate change and variability on crop production, water quality, and ecosystem services will be minimal. Developing new technologies may not be the only and complete solution and thus, efforts need also to be exerted to revise, improve, and redesign existing technologies. For any technology to be sustainable, it should be evaluated not only for its effectiveness to bring the intended benefits or changes but also with respect to its associated costs and adaptability by intended users. In this regard, greater availability of quality data and the ability to transform it into usable information for decision making - provides an innovation for addressing some of the resource scarcity issues.?
Animal Health Component
30%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
60%
Applied
30%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1110210205060%
1120399205020%
1020199205020%
Knowledge Area
102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 112 - Watershed Protection and Management; 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water;

Subject Of Investigation
0210 - Water resources; 0199 - Soil and land, general; 0399 - Watersheds and river basins, general;

Field Of Science
2050 - Hydrology;
Goals / Objectives
The overarching goal of this project is to develop best and realistic land and water management practices that improve agricultural productivity and address pressing global water quality and quantity issues both in agricultural and urban settings. Specific objectives of this project include: Improving water use efficiency of urban and agricultural areas through the use of innovative technologies. This also includes tracking of consumptive uses so that new technologies will not result in increased water uses.Developing of effective and realistic land and water management practices that enhance availability and quality of water resourcesInvestigating how climate change affects available water resources and crop yield under different climate change scenarios
Project Methods
Objective 1: Improving water use efficiency of urban and agricultural areas through the use of innovative technologies. Under this objective, different irrigation technologies and water management practices will be evaluated from the perspectives of improving water productivity, water quality, and environmental services. To achieve this objective, a series of studies will be conducted that include:Developing improved irrigation scheduling methods both by optimizing existing systems and using emerging technologies. Series of experiments will be conducted at lab and field scales to evaluate the effects of different irrigation scheduling methods and water management practices on soil-water-plant relationships under different cropping systems. Upscaling of results will be achieved through the integration of laboratory and field data with near surface and remotely sensed data to quantify changes in crop phenology in response to different water stress levels.Quantifying soil water and evapotranspiration dynamics for different cropping systems under different irrigation management practices using in situ observations and thermal imagery from satellite and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).Developing and /or revising crop coefficient (Kc) values for major crops grown in south Florida.Modeling effects of different soil and water management practices (e.g., organic amendments and tillage practices) on soil-water-plant relationships (soil moisture retention, nutrient leaching, crop yield, and greenhouse gas emissions) using suits of hydrologic and crop models (e.g., The Soil and Water Assessment Tool: SWAT and DSSAT crop models).Objective 2: Developing of environmentally sound and sustainable land water management practices. Modeling effects of best management practices (BMPs) at different scales (plot, field, and watershed scales) on water quality and quantity.Assessing the effects of land use / land cover changes on water quality and quantity using field observations and model simulations.Investigating potentials and challenges of using non-conventional water sources for irrigation.Evaluating the effects of saltwater intrusion on evapotranspiration dynamics and crop yield.Understanding hydrological, and nutrient and contaminate transport processes at different spatial and temporal scales in urban and agricultural areas through combined use of field measurements and numerical modeling tools.Objective 3: Investing how climate change and variability affects available water resources and crop yield under different climate change scenarios.Assessing the impact of climate change on crop water requirements and water resources (water quantity and quality).Investigating climate change impacts on crop yield.Application of Global Circulation Models (GCMs) for hydrologic studies at local and regional scalesInvestigating climate change impacts on crop yield employing GCM outputs and suits of crop models to determine how CO2 concentrations and changes in precipitation and temperature would affect crop yield and yield components.Modeling performance of different land and water management practices in mitigating the impacts of climate change at a watershed and basin scales.

Progress 10/01/20 to 09/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience includes researchers, scientists, extension agents, students at all levels, farmers, producers, urban homeowners, gardeners, irrigation and landscaping professionals, and allied industry. Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic was a major challenge and has affected the program in several ways. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Three Ph.D. students are currently conducting their research. The students are at different stages of their academic program. Two OPS personnel, one research technician, and one visiting scholar were involved in several project activities. Graduate students were trained in writing refereed manuscripts, extension factsheets, conference abstracts, and preparing oral and poster presentations. Graduate students were involved in more than ten conference abstracts and presentations and writing two extension factsheets. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project results were disseminated using different venues including journal publications, scientific society meetings, extension journals and factsheets, and extension workshops and training. Twelve refereed manuscripts and eight extension factsheets were published. In addition, ten conference abstracts and presentations were given, and several extension training and workshops were conducted. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue conducting research in the area of water resources engineering and developing effective soil and water management practices that conserve water and protect water quality. Specifically, continue working on the second-year research for two USDA/NIFA projects. In addition, continue advising/mentoring graduate students in conducting research, writing, and publishing refereed manuscripts, and giving research presentations.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A linear move variable rate irrigation (VRI) system was established on a 1-acre field at the Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC). The system allows conducting precision irrigation experiments at a plot scale. Thirty-two experimental, equipped with different types of sensors that allow continuous monitoring of soil, water, plant properties, were established. Two USDA/NIFA funded projects are currently being conducted. The first project aims to develop a technique that allows quantifying plot/field-scale evapotranspiration rates for green beans and sweet corn by integrating data from different sources. For this project, time-series data were collected for soil moisture, recharge, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll, canopy temperature, and several other crop parameters. In addition, drone images were collected. The second project investigates the multifaceted impacts of soil salinity on soil health, greenhouse gas emission, and nutrient leaching from two agricultural soils in South Florida.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Getachew, F., H.K. Bayabil, G. Hoogenboom, F.T. Teshome, and E. Zewdu. 2021. Irrigation and shifting planting date as climate change adaptation strategies for sorghum. Agricultural Water Management. 255:106988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2021.106988.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., L. Vasquez, L. Lomeli, and P. Martin. 2021. Lessons from a Landscape Irrigation Rebate Program in Miami Dade County. Journal of Extension. Journal of Extension. 59(2) 12. 10.34068/joe.59.02.13
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Teshome, F.T., H.K. Bayabil, L.N. Thakural, and F.G. Welidehanna. 2020. Verification of the MIKE11-NAM Model for Simulating Streamflow. Journal of Environmental Protection. 11/02: 152. http://www.scirp.org/journal/Paperabs.aspx?PaperID=98554
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bayabil, H.K, A. Fares, H.O. Sharif, D.T. Ghebreyesus, and H.A. Moreno. 2019. Effects of Spatial and Temporal Data Aggregation Scales on the Performance of the Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor System. Journal of American Water Resources Association. 1-13. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1752-1688.12799
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Kebrom, T.H., S. Woldesenbet, H.K. Bayabil, M. Garcia, M. Gao, P. Ampim, R. Awal, and A. Fares. 2019. Evaluation of Phytotoxicity of Three Organic Amendments to Collard Greens Using the Seed Germination Bioassay. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3928-4
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., J.H. Crane, K.W. Migliaccio, Y. Li, F.H. Ballen, and S. Guzman. 2020. Programaci�n de Riego Basado en el M�todo de Evapotranspiraci�n Para Papaya (Carica papaya) en Florida. University of Florida IFAS Extension Publication #AE547. 2020/6: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae547
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Teklay, A., Y.T. Dile, D.H. Asfaw, H.K. Bayabil, and K. Sisay. 2021. Impacts of Climate and Land Use Change on Hydrological Response in Gumara Watershed, Ethiopia. Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology. 21(2) 315-332. doi.org/10.1016/j.ecohyd.2020.12.001.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Li, T., Z. Tong, Y. Li, B. Gao, S. Meng, and H.K. Bayabil. 2021. Characterization of Residues from Non-woody Pulping Process and its Function as Fertilizer. Chemosphere. 262, 127906. doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127906.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Awal, R., A. El Hassan, F. Abbas, A. Fares, H.K. Bayabil, R. L. Ray, S. Woldesenbet. 2021. Patterns of Nutrient Dynamics within and below the Rootzone of Collard Greens Grown under Different Organic Amendment Types and Rates. Sustainability. 13(12) 6857. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126857
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Li, T., Z. Tong, B. Gao, Y. Li, A.R. Smyth, and H.K. Bayabil. 2020. Polyethyleneimine Modified Biochar for Enhanced Phosphate Adsorption. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(7) 7420-7429.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Teshome, F.T., H.K. Bayabil, L.N. Thakural, and F.G. Welidehanna. 2020. Modeling Stream Flow Using SWAT Model in the Bina River Basin, India. Journal of Water Resource and Protection. 12/03: 203. http://www.scirp.org/journal/Paperabs.aspx?PaperID=98682
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., K.W. Migliaccio, M.D. Dukes, and L. Vasquez. 2020. Basic Tips for Designing Efficient Irrigation Systems. University of Florida IFAS Extension. Publication #AE539. 2020/1: https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ae539-2020
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Qiu J., H.K. Bayabil, and Y. Li. 2020. Indoor Vertical Farming Systems for Food Security and Resource Sustainability. University of Florida IFAS Extension. Publication #FOR360/FR429. 2020/2: https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-fr429-2020
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., J.H. Crane, K.W. Migliaccio, Y. Li, and F.H. Ballen. 2020. ET-Based Irrigation Scheduling for Papaya (Carica papaya) in Florida. University of Florida IFAS Extension. Publication #AE499. 2020/2: https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-ae540-2020
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., K.W. Migliaccio, M.D. Dukes, L. Vasquez, and y C. Balerdi. 2020. Consejos Basicos para Dise�ar Sistemas Eficientes de Riego. University of Florida IFAS Extension. Publication #AE549. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae539
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2021 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., F.T. Teshome, F.G. Welidehanna. 2021. Soil Moisture and Canopy Temperature Dynamics of Sweet Corn and Green Beans Under Variable Rate Irrigation. Florida Section American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (FL ASABE) Annual Meeting. June 09-12, 2021. Daytona Beach Shores, FL.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., J. Zhang, Y. Li, and F.T. Teshome. 2020. Effects of Organic Amendments on Evaporation Characteristics of Drying Soils. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Annual International Meeting. Virtual. Jul 13, 2020 - Jul 15, 2020.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., K.W. Migliaccio, J.H. Andreis, and F.T. Teshome. 2020. Verification of the Dark Weather Forecast Skills over Florida and Georgia. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) Annual International Meeting. Virtual. Jul 13, 2020 - Jul 15, 2020.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Crane, J.H., H.K. Bayabil, E.A. Evans, and F.H. Ballen. 2020. Irrigation System Descriptions for Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Crops in Florida. University of Florida IFAS Extension. Publication #HS1375. 2020/5: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1375
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., K.W. Migliaccio, J.H. Crane, T. Olczyk, and Q. Wang. 2020. Regulations and Guidelines for Chemigation. University of Florida IFAS Extension. Publication AE542/AE542. 2020/4:
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., F.T. Teshome, and B. Schaffer. 2020. Effects of Irrigation Level on Water Use and Yield of Sweet Corn Cultivars. AWRA Annual Water Resources Conference. Virtual. November 9-12, 2020.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Getachew, F., C. Nendel, T. Stella, M. Berg, M. Lana, and H.K. Bayabil. 2020. Modeling Effects of Climate Change and Variability on Sorghum Yield in Ethiopia. UF Water Institute Conference, Ginsville, Florida. February 25-26, 2020.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2020 Citation: Teshome, F.T., H.K. Bayabil., and F.G. Welidehanna. 2020. Evaporation Trends over South Florida. AWRA Annual Water Resources Conference. Virtual. November 9-12, 2020.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., and Y.T. Dile. 2019. Effects of Spatial Data Resolution on Hydrologic Simulations. FL-ASABE, Delray Beach, Florida.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., L. Vasquez, J. Lomeli, and P. Martin. 2019. Performance of ET-Based Irrigation Controller in Reducing Outdoor Water Use. FL-ASABE, Delray Beach, Florida.


Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:• Researchers, scientists, extension agents, and students at all levels • Farmers, producers, urban dwellers/ gardeners, and industry people • Local, state, federal agencies (e.g., USDA, FDACS, EPA, etc.) • Academic institutions, e.g., Colleges and Universities Changes/Problems:The COVID-19 pandemic was a major challenge that hindered our research progress in many ways. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two Ph.D. students currently conducting their research projects that contribute to the overall goal of this project. In addition, one research scientist was actively involved in managing daily project activities. An OPS person has been trained with different equipment and data collection techniques. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were disseminated to the wider scientific community at conferences and professional society meetings such as the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) annual meetings. Graduate students also presented their work. In addition,several in-service training for extension agents and extension presentations were given to board audiences including extension agents, growers, and homeowners. Topics of presentations cover integrating science and smart technologies for water conservation and water quality, irrigation scheduling techniques, and basic concepts of soil-water-plant relationships and advances in smart irrigation systems and technologies. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We planto continue conducting novel and exciting research on the integration of science and technology for precision irrigation management with the development of environmentally sound and effective water management practices including smart irrigation technologies and nutrient management practicesthat reduce agricultural inputs such as water, fertilizer, and pesticides and allow the efficient utilization of available freshwater resources for crop production and landscape maintenance. Research areas includevariable rate irrigation, water conservation, water quality, soil hydrology, soil moisture sensing, crop water stress, evapotranspiration, crop coefficients, drones, wired and wireless sensors, smart timers/controllers, and data analytics.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? A study was conducted to investigate the effects of irrigation level on evapotranspiration, growth, and yield of three sweet corn cultivars (1170, 8021, and Battalion) commonly grown in south Florida. The experiment was conducted under a drip system using 3.79-liter containers. Three irrigation treatments were applied. Daily evapotranspiration (ET) rates were determined using a digital scale. Leaf chlorophyll index was measured twice a week with a SPAD meter. Stomatal conductance was also measured with a leaf porometer. Above-ground biomass and leaf area were measured from harvested plants in each treatment, three times during the experiment. In addition, a 4-year study funded byUSDA/NIFA started in Fall 2020. The project aims to develop a technique that allows quantifying evapotranspiration rates at field and plot scales by integrating data from multiple sources from both ground and aerial measurements; and evapotranspiration, hydrologic, and crop models. The first experiment was started in December 2020 on green beans and sweet corn under a variable rate irrigation system. Data collection includes soil moisture, recharge, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll, canopy temperature, and several other crop parameters. Drone images are also being collected daily using infrared thermal and multispectral sensors. Since irrigation management heavily relies on data astudy was started to investigate the reliability of the DarkSky (©Apple inc.) weather forecast data as inputs for irrigation scheduling and water resource management decision making. The study aims toverify the accuracy of the forecast data based on daily weather forecast observations at 124 weather stations distributed across Florida and Georgia.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., and Dile, Y. 2020. Improving Hydrologic Simulations Through Soil Data Integration. water. 12/10: 10.3390/w12102763
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Tebebu, T.Y., H.K. Bayabil, and Steenhuis, T.S. 2020. Can Degraded Soils be Improved by Ripping Through the Hardpan and Liming? A Field Experiment In The Humid Ethiopian Highlands. Land Degradation & Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3588
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Bayabil H.K., Y. Li, Z. Tong, and B. Gao. 2020. Potential Management Practices of Saltwater Intrusion Impacts on Soil Health and Water Quality: A Review. Journal of Water and Climate Change. jwc2020013: https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2020.013


Progress 10/16/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, this project reached a diverse target audience including stakeholders (e.g., growers, producers, urban dwellers/ gardeners, and industry people), researchers, scientists, extension agents, and students at all levels and the general public. Different approaches (e.g., workshops, grower meetings, and seminars) were used to present information from ongoing studies. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Preliminary data and results were communicated with stakeholders at the 2019 Urban Landscape Summit at the University of Florida and the Florida Section American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (FLASABE) annual meeting. A Soil and Water BMPs workshop was also organized at the Tropical Research and Education Center targeting nursery growers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Greenhouse experiment investigated changes in evaporation characteristics of drying soils as a result of different organic amendment types and rates. The experiment was completed, and a manuscript is at a final stage for submission for peer-review publication. Effectiveness of smart irrigation controllers in reducing outdoor water consumption was investigated by analyzing water consumption data from properties retrofitted with smart controllers through an irrigation rebate program developed by the UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County's Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) program and Miami-Dade County through the Water and Sewer Department. Amanuscript is submitted for publication in the Journal of Extension. In addition, the effect of potting media types and mixing ratios on water retention and leaching were investigated. A Soil and Water BMPs workshop was organized at the Tropical Research and Education Center to share the results with nursery growers.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bayabil, H.K., Y.T. Dile, T.Y. Tebebu, T.A. Engda, and T.S. Steenhuis. 2019. Evaluating Infiltration Models and Pedotransfer Functions: Implications for Hydrologic Modeling. Geoderma. 338: 159-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.11.028
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Teklay, A.(g), Y.T. Dile, D.H. Asfaw, H.K. Bayabil, and K. Sisay. 2019. Impacts of land surface model and land use data on WRF model simulations of rainfall and temperature over Lake Tana Basin, Ethiopia. Heliyon. 5(9)e02469: