Irrigating Cotton In The Presence Of Shallow Ground Water

Precisely irrigating a crop in the presence of shallow ground water is difficult because the ground water contribution to the crop water requirement is unknown for most crops. This paper presents the results of irrigating cotton in the presence of shallow ground water using subsurface drip, sprinkler, furrow, and flood irrigation. Yields were generally higher with the pressurized systems compared to the flood and furrow systems. A crop coefficient which accounted for shallow ground water use by cotton was effectively used in reducing the total applied water without reducing yields. Sprinkler irrigation was effective in reducing leaf yellowing of cotton grown in clay soils.