Effects of Every Furrow vs. Every Other Furrow Surface Irrigation in Cotton

In 2001, the Arizona Department of Water Resources implemented an agricultural Best Management Practice (BMP) program. The program was designed to encourage the use of BMPs in irrigation with the goal of increasing the efficient use of water resources on the farm. Several BMPs were identified through meetings with stakeholders, researchers, and scientists. One of the BMPs identified was alternate furrow irrigation. This three-year study was designed to determine the impact of alternate furrow irrigation on surface irrigation water applications and cotton yield. There were two treatments, every furrow (EF) and every other furrow (EOF). Lint yields were 1794 and 1694 kg/ha in 2006; 1795 and 1902 kg/ha in 2007; and 1365 and 1237 kg/ha in 2008 for the EF and EOF treatments, respectively. Seasonal irrigation water applications were 187.7 and 162.3 cm in 2006; 151.4 and 137.2 cm in 2007; and 184.1 and 132.6 cm in 2008 for EF and EOF treatments, respectively. The results indicate that an average of 30.5 cm of water can be saved by the implementation of an alternate furrow irrigation scheme without significantly reducing lint yield.