Mid-summer Deficit irrigation of Alfalfa as a Strategy for saving Water

摘要

Evapotranspiration (ET) of fully-irrigated and deficit-irrigated (no irrigation in July,August, and September) was measured in five alfalfa fields at various locationsthroughout California. Seasonal ET ranged from 838 to 1,651 mm, which differedfrom historical seasonal ET. Deficit irrigation reduced ET, but the ET differencebetween fully-irrigated and deficit-irrigated alfalfa was site specific. Yields werereduced by deficit irrigation.