ABSTRACT
A management model for predicting optimum timing for irrigation termination in San Joaquin Valley Acala cotton is proposed. This model incorporates crop maturity and late-season plant available water determinations as primary model inputs. Plant available water is calculated by a combination of root depth determination and available water estimates based on soil textural type, to arrive at a specific value. A palmtop computer system has been developed to accept these inputs and provide water termination estimates. Thus far, two years of field trials have helped validate the assumptions of the model and provide yield test results to confirm model predictions.
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