The performance of winter wheat in western Kansas under four different irrigation capacities and two different nitrogen application rates was evaluated using a cropping system model. Simulation results showed winter wheat yield increased with an increase in N application rate and irrigation capacity. However, the rate of yield increase gradually reduced with additional irrigation beyond irrigation capacity of 0.10 inch (2.5 mm) per day. This simulation study indicates that it is possible to save about 50% of irrigation water under irrigation capacity of 0.10 inch (2.5 mm) per day, or one inch (25 mm) per ten days for a 16% yield loss relative to 0.20 inch (5 mm) per day, or one inch (25 mm) per five days.
Publication: Araya, A., P.V.V. Prasad, P.H. Gowda, I. Kisekka, and A.J. Foster (2019). Yield and Water Productivity of Winter Wheat under Various Irrigation Capacities. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 1 – 14.
This article is part of a JAWRA featured series: Optimizing Ogallala Aquifer Water Use to Sustain Food Systems.