Published 2019-04-19
Abstract
Efficient use of irrigation water is imperative for efficient vegetable production. To evaluate the potential water savings of center pivot irrigation over conventional seepage irrigation for commercial snap bean production in southwest Florida, a field trial was conducted at a private farm during Spring 2014, where center pivot and seepage irrigation systems were compared. Fertilizer rates and application were identical for both irrigation systems. Results showed that the overall water usage of seepage irrigation and center pivot irrigation was 118,139 gallons per acre (gal/acre) (4.35 inches) and 50,090 gal/acre (1.84 inches), respectively. Center pivot irrigation saved 57.6% (68,049 gal/acre) of water. However, the snap bean yield was significantly higher in the seepage plot (14527.3 ± 709 lb/acre) than in the center pivot plot (8851.8 ± 281 lb/acre). Also, a significant decrease occurred in marketable yield under the center pivot irrigation system, which might be attributed to a possible increase of N leaching under overhead irrigation. This result suggests that the combination of fertigation and center pivot irrigation system might be an effective way to improve fertilizer use efficiency, yield, and reduce losses of nutrients to the environment.