Lubbock/High Plains
Investigators: Bronson, Bordovsky, Keeling, Boman, Brashears, Lascano, Segarra, and Parajulee
Texas Agric. Exp. Stn, Texas Coop Extn, USDA-ARS, and Texas Tech Univ.
Location: AGCARES, Lamesa, and on-farm sites
Justification and Summary:
Inter-disciplinary
precision agriculture research in cotton in the High Plains began on experiment
station and research/demonstration farms such as AGCARES at Lamesa in
1998. In the High Plains, precision agriculture (PA)/site-specific technologies
options such as variable rate (VR) N fertilization are currently available
from local industries for cotton and other crops and stripper harvesters
with optical yield monitors are being purchased on the High Plains. Therefore,
in the 2002 and 2003 growing seasons we plan to test variable-rate nitrogen
and water (three irrigation levels in strip plots, which simulates variable-rate
water) at the AGCARES farm in Lamesa, TX. Integral thrusts of this effort
include yield mapping, IPM, and economics. Additionally, scientific and
practical testing of site-specific water management under various well
capacity and soil types scenarios will be studied at on-farm locations.
Also as part of the group’s effort to put precision agriculture
activities at the farm-level, yield mapping will expand to farmers’
fields.
Objectives for Lubbock/High Plains:
1) To evaluate VR N fertilization in cotton at the AGCARES farm, together
with pseudo, VR water on cotton lint yields, compared to conventional
practices.
2) To evaluate farmers’ existing site-specific management of limited
and varying well water capacities.
3) To assess insect population profiles as a function of VR N and water.
4) To extend yield mapping to farmers’ fields and evaluate the actual
and perceived benefits to the producer.
5) To use remote sensing as a tool to predict spatial nutrient and water
status of cotton.
6) To conduct economic analysis of VR practices in cotton.