ARS | Publication request: New Techniques for Monitoring Drip Irrigation Water Use Efficiency, Drainage, and Leachate in Containers

Submitted to: Asae Annual International Meeting
Publication Acceptance Date: April 8, 2004
Publication Date: August 2, 2004
Citation: Zhu, H., Krause, C.R., Derksen, R.C., Zondag, R.H., Brazee, R.D., Fausey, N.R. 2004. New Techniques For Monitoring Drip Irrigation Water Use Efficiency, Drainage, And Leachate In Containers. Asae Annual International Meeting. Paper No. 042247.

Technical Abstract: Techniques are needed to ecologically monitor nursery production practices with proper use of water resources and nutrient management. An experimental system to examine water quality, irrigation efficiency and drainage from pot-in-pot nursery container production was established in a commercial nursery field. The system mainly consisted of a plot containing 50 trees planted in pot-in-pot containers and irrigated with micro spray stakes; 10 drainage water measurement devices; 10 pot media moisture probes; 10 thermocouples; a weather station and a data logger. Preliminary tests indicated the system was appropriate to monitor water inputs, drainage water loss, medium moisture content and temperature, leachate of nitrogen, phosphate and potassium in drainage water, rainfall and weather conditions, and tree growth in pot-in-pot nursery production.