Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI), although a much smaller fraction of the microirrigated land area than surface irrigation, is growing at faster rate and subject considerable research educational efforts in U.S. This article discusses growth SDI, highlights some extension efforts, points out challenges to SDI adoption future opportunities for SDI.

Increasing competition for water and the desire high-quality turfgrass require sound irrigation management. The main objective of this study was to evaluate two types commercially available control technologies: one based on evapotranspiration (ET) estimates other feedback from a soil-moisture sensor (SMS). Irrigation treatments were combinations controller technology: timer-based standard system (TIM), an add-on (1 set point) SMS (SMS1), (ET)-based (ETB), watering frequency: weekly, twice...

Five different types of tubing materials, namely, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were evaluated for ammonia adsorption at two nominal concentration values (1 10 ppm) ~24C. All sections 2.5 m in length 4.76 mm i.d. except the HDPE which had an 4.32 mm. Mass balance was used to determine (as ammonium-nitrogen (N)) adsorbed on inside versus total N recovered plus gas...

A subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system was installed in 2001 the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Initially, four zones were installed, each with 0.91 m dripline spacing. In 2002, a fifth zone 1.82 spacing added. This irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and peanut (Arachis hypogea rotation on Norfolk sandy loam soil. Seed yield data collected from to 2004. addition SDI, overhead sprinkler applied plots 2003. study concurrent another that evaluated effect type, growth regulator...

Determining response of agronomic crops to subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) in conventional and reduced tillage systems is important defining utility SDI. Therefore, the objectives this research were define interactions SDI with respect yield economic return corn ( Zea mays L.), cotton Gossypium hirsutum peanut Arachis hypogaea L.) planted rotation. Research was conducted two 4‐yr periods (2007–2010 2008–2011) North Carolina using continuous strip vs. without or a crop sequence 1 yr cotton,...

A study was conducted in Cary, North Carolina, the spring and summer of 2009 with purpose evaluating effectiveness two “smart irrigation” controllers based on amount irrigation applied resulting turf quality residential settings. Twenty-four sites were selected, clusters four, representing six geographical areas within town. Each cluster included one site each treatment. The treatments standard controller an add-on soil moisture sensor system (SMS); evapotranspiration-based adjustment (ET);...

A study was initiated in Fall 2006 Raleigh, North Carolina to compare two types of commercially available irrigation control technologies, one based on estimates evapotranspiration (ET) and the other feedback from soil moisture sensors. Water applied turf quality ET-based system sensor-based systems were compared a using standard time-based schedule. The effect frequency also part study. Estimates ET obtained Penman-Monteith equation on-site weather data, an atmometer. Results twenty week...

ABSTRACT Digital image analysis (DIA) provides an accurate, nondestructive, and objective assessment of turf color. Previous research developed index known as the dark green color (DGCI) via DIA indicator The this study was to use DGCI variability better predict a visual rating (VR) used evaluate tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) under different irrigation treatments. To develop statistics, two freeware software packages (Image J R) were extract process information from digital...

An integrated planning activity was undertaken for the Amman-Zarqa Basin in Jordan to account present and future uses of water resources including reclaimed water. Upgrades existing wastewater treatment plants mean that new will be available future. To evaluate impact current potential on basin stakeholders, a spreadsheet-based model developed predict quantity quality at several key locations. The consists flow component component. used screen various water-use scenarios formulate feasible...

Twenty swine anaerobic lagoons (8 finish, 6 nursery, and sow) were monitored for lagoon liquid nutrient concentrations level above or below the stop-pump level. Weekly rainfall was also recorded. Significant differences in total nitrogen (N) existed between types of farms. The N concentration varied within same by a factor two more during 4-yr study period typically displayed seasonal trend decreasing summer increasing winter. Years operation to 29 yr) not significant mean over period....

Abstract Riparian buffers have been used for many years as a best management practice to decrease the effects of nonpoint pollution from watersheds. The NC Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program ( CREP ) has established treat groundwater nitrate‐nitrogen NO 3 − ‐N) agricultural sources in multiple river basins. A maturing 46 m wide riparian buffer enrolled was studied determine its effectiveness reducing ‐N concentrations cattle pasture fertilized with poultry litter. Three monitoring...

ABSTRACT: Small systematic changes in loads or concentrations of water quality constituents are difficult to detect against the background short term fluctuations (“noise”) that result from weather and climate effects. Minimum Detectable Change Analysis (MDCA) uses prior knowledge a constituent determine how much change must occur (e.g., implementation conservation practices) for be statistically significant. In this paper we use MDCA whether goal Ohio Lake Erie Conservation Reserve...

Decreasing the amount of water applied by residential irrigation systems without causing negative effects on turfgrass quality is a challenge. A variety technologies are available in market that seeks to reduce use. These include rain sensors, and soil moisture sensor (SMS) based evapotranspiration (ET) controllers. study was conducted Cary, North Carolina with purpose evaluating effectiveness two smart systems, turf settings. The included 24 sites were divided into six geographical regions,...

A subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system was installed in the Piedmont of North Carolina a clay soil fall 2001 to test effect dripline spacing on corn and soybean yield. The zoned into three sections; each section cropped either (Zea mays L.), full-season [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], or winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) double representing any year typical crop rotation region. Each had four plots; two SDI plots with at 1.52 2.28 m, an overhead sprinkler irrigated plot, unirrigated plot. There...

Limited resources for groundwater quality monitoring projects demand definition of contaminant plumes with a minimum number sampling wells. The relationship between loss information (or plume error) and degree reduction in the wells has been investigated by authors. A proprietary design product (E4) was used to select variably sized subsets from two existing natural gradient tracer tests. defined data each subset compared full set Differences its corresponding were quantified generate an...

In addition to nutrients, poultry are fed trace elements (e.g., As) for therapeutic purposes. Although a large proportion of the nutrients assimilated by birds, nearly all As is excreted. Hence, turkey litter constituents can leach into soil and contaminate shallow ground water when it stockpiled uncovered on bare soil. This study quantified leaching from stockpiles underlying Four were placed Orangeburg loamy sand in summer 2004 162 d; 14 d after their removal, four created over same...

Irrigation is the most common and standard practice for maintaining turfgrass landscape plants in residential settings. The main objective of this study was to quantify irrigation water use Cary, North Carolina. A subobjective develop distributions monthly reference evapotranspiration (ETo) gross requirements (GIRs) area using long-term weather data. As part subobjective, an investigation performed compare daily measured solar radiation with two empirical methods estimating (Rs). goal...

ABSTRACT: A procedure using a simple, empirically‐based model that makes efficient use of available information has been developed for designing ground water monitoring well network. moving plume is described by siting wells in sequential manner, relying upon two‐dimensional concentration data obtained from previously installed to determine the locations future wells. Data sets two known, densely monitored natural gradient tracer studies were used test procedure. Plumes defined all original...

Irrigated cotton acreage is limited in North Carolina. Research was conducted Carolina from 2004 to 2007 define interactions of planting date with either mepiquat chloride application or cultivar under sub-surface drip irrigation no irrigation. In most instances date, chloride, and did not interact for seed yield. While main effects were often significant, affect Cotton response variable generally influenced by annual variability rainfall. Results these experiments suggest that improves...

A 3-year study was conducted in the Catawba-Wateree River Basin during spring and summer months of 2009–2011 to evaluate water savings potential three smart irrigation controllers compared with standard timer-based controllers. Thirty-six residential sites, 12 on each Duke Energy lakes (Lake Norman, Lake Hickory, Wylie), were selected for study. Each site had an automated, underground system that directly drew from lake property bordered. None systems previously been metered there no charge...

An efficiently managed irrigation system is important in order to achieve the dual goals of water conservation and acceptable turf quality. The main objective this study was identify changes correlations among visual rating, canopy reflectance, temperature digital imagery index evaluating turfgrass quality under different treatments. A ten treatments on tall fescue plots combining controller technology (a standard time-based system, two soil-moisture-based systems, an evapotranspiration...

Core Ideas Turf colorants can be used as an alternative to winter overseeding, therefore saving turf managers resources. Multidimensional scaling analysis separate into groups, allowing better select products based on color parameters. colorant transfer varies greatly among and result in severe staining. Turfgrass are primarily overseeding. Information is limited the scientific literature. The primary objective of this field study was evaluate effect turfgrass had parameters (colorant...

The drawdown rate of detention-based stormwater control measures (SCMs) influences both the treatment capability device and volume runoff that becomes untreated overflow. Currently, hydrologic design goals set by North Carolina Department Environmental Natural Resources other mid-Atlantic U.S. state agencies (e.g., those in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania) require practices to treat, e.g., 90% (or similar). This equates a 10% overflow volume, defined as percentage inflow bypasses SCM...