Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “irrigation”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1975

Irrigation scheduling, freeze warning and soil salinity detecting

The author has identified the following significant results. Correlations of multispectral scanner (MSS) digital data differences between vegetated and bare soil areas with salinity levels from the eight saline areas using MSS bands seven and ten in the infrared region were significant. Correlations were derived for Cameron County, Texas. Detection of saline soils may be possible, using either film density readings or multispectral scanner data, when the lower reflectance of vegetation on highly saline soil and the higher reflectance of vegetation on lower saline soil are considered by using film on MSS contrasts between vegetation and bare soil.

Wiegand, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Crop-phenology and LANDSAT-based irrigated lands inventory in the high plains

Optimal LANDSAT image dates for 1980 were identified based on the weekly crop-weather reports for Colorado, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming. The 1979 agricultural statistics data were entered into computer files and a revised questionnaire was developed and mailed to ASCS county agents. A set of computer programs was developed to allow the preparation of computer-assisted graphic displays of much of the collected data.

Martinko, E. A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Application of remote sensing for California irrigated lands assessment

Recognizing the need for land use data as an input to State water planning, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and its predecessor agencies have conducted land use surveys since the late 1940's. In 1957 the California Water Plan was established. A statewide assessment is compiled every four to five years to review overall water resource conditions. Satellite remote sensing imagery, such as available from Landsat, has been recognized by DWR as a potential source of land use data. Analysis of Landsat imagery in connection with 'calibrating' data from low altitude photography and/or field checks can provide an economical means for providing a large scale, single year base inventory of general land use. The purpose of the Applications Pilot Test is to develop and document the use of Landsat for such an inventory. Towards the overall goal of developing an operational methodology that DWR could cost effectively implement four tasks have been specified.

Tinney, L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Crop-phenology and LANDSAT-based irrigated lands inventory in the high plains

Crop calendars for 1979 and 1980 were investigated in support of an effort to develop techniques for mapping the High Plains aquifer region. Optimal LANDSAT image dates for 1980 were preliminarily identified based on ESS weekly crop weather reports and 1979 ESS agricultural statistics were entered into the computer. A questionnaire was compiled and sent to ASCS county agents with the approval of the Extension Directors in each state involved. Data from returning questionnaires were tabulated and development started on a set of computer programs to allow the preparation of computer assisted graphic displays of much of the collected data.

Martinko, E. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The feasibility of thermal inertia mapping for detection of perched water tables in semi-arid irrigated lands

The thermal inertia mapping remote sensing technique is evaluated as a potential method for delineating areas of shallow perched water tables and related salinization problems on a regional basis. This method for detecting shallow water tables is based on the existence of significant differences in soil thermal properties between wet and dry soil profiles. Ground observations were conducted at two different test sites in California along the flight line, with one site located in a perched water table area and the other site in a well drained area. Measurements were taken hourly during a four day period (two days before and two days after the flight) for variables such as radiometric, meteorologic, soil moisture and temperature profiles, and surface characteristics. Results indicate that it is not feasible using present apparent thermal inertia remote sensing techniques to reliably delineate regional patterns of very shallow water tables due to the complex environmental system. However, some features within specific fields which may be directly related to the local presence of shallow water tables, such as differences in evaporative cooling due to soil moisture effects between and within fields, can be detected using the thermal inertia technique.

Ezra, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Effect of heliotropism on the bidirectional reflectance of irrigated cotton

The dynamic behavior of cotton leaves is described using gyroscopic coordinates. Angular movements represented as pitching, rolling, and yawing are used to follow the movement of leaf normals and their instantaneous relationships to the sun on an individual basis. A sensitivity analysis establishes that the angle between a leaf normal and the sun is most affected by changes in pitch and roll. Plots of the phase angle gamma averaged by quadrant show the pronounced heliotropic behavior of cotton leaves. Plots of pitch versus roll averaged by quadrant demonstrate the differential behavior of cotton leaves relative to the position of the sun. These results are used to interpret sections taken from bidirectional reflectance curves obtained using 0.57-0.69 micron band in terms of the evolution of gamma from sunrise until noon. The measured and experimental values of gamma are in reasonable agreement. Forescattered and backscattered exitances are observed to have distinct leaf normal directions.

Schutt, J. B.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Irrigation System for Microgravity (Candidate): The Passive Porous Tube Nutrient Delivery System (PPTNDS)

In an effort to supplement astronauts’ diets with fresh produce during future long-term space missions, the team at NASA Kennedy Space Center is working on methods to better deliver water and nutrients to plant root zones, with the desire to create a more reliable vegetable production system. Effectively doing this in microgravity has proven to be one of the biggest challenges experienced. Here, we detail the development and testing of the Passive Porous Tube Nutrient Delivery System (PPTNDS).

Jacob Torres↗
NASA NTRS2018

Distinct Influences of Land Cover and Land Management on Seasonal Climate

Anthropogenic land use and land cover change is primarily represented in climate model simulations through prescribed transitions from natural vegetation to cropland or pasture. However, recent studies have demonstrated that land management practices, especially irrigation, have distinct climate impacts. Here we disentangle the seasonal climate impacts of land cover change and irrigation across areas of high agricultural intensity using climate simulations with three different land surface scenarios: (1) natural vegetation cover/no irrigation, (2) year 2000 crop cover/no irrigation, and (3) year 2000 crop cover and irrigation rates. We find that irrigation substantially amplifies land cover‐induced climate impacts but has opposing effects across certain regions. Irrigation mostly causes surface cooling, which substantially amplifies land cover change‐induced cooling in most regions except over Central, West, and South Asia, where it reverses land cover change‐induced warming. Despite increases in net surface radiation in some regions, this cooling is associated with enhancement of latent relative to sensible heat fluxes by irrigation. Similarly, irrigation substantially enhances the wetting influence of land cover change over several regions including West Asia and the Mediterranean. The most notable contrasting impacts of these forcings on precipitation occur over South Asia, where irrigation offsets the wetting influence of land cover during the monsoon season. Differential changes in regional circulations and moist static energy induced by these forcings contribute to their precipitation impacts and are associated with differential changes in surface and tropospheric temperature gradients and moisture availability. These results emphasize the importance of including irrigation forcing to evaluate the combined impacts of land surface changes for attributing historical climatic changes and managing future impacts.

Singh, Deepti↗
NASA NTRS2017

Representing Water Scarcity in Future Agricultural Assessments

Globally, irrigated agriculture is both essential for food production and the largest user of water. A major challenge for hydrologic and agricultural research communities is assessing the sustainability of irrigated croplands under climate variability and change. Simulations of irrigated croplands generally lack key interactions between water supply, water distribution, and agricultural water demand. In this article, we explore the critical interface between water resources and agriculture by motivating, developing, and illustrating the application of an integrated modeling framework to advance simulations of irrigated croplands. We motivate the framework by examining historical dynamics of irrigation water withdrawals in the United States and quantitatively reviewing previous modeling studies of irrigated croplands with a focus on representations of water supply, agricultural water demand, and impacts on crop yields when water demand exceeds water supply. We then describe the integrated modeling framework for simulating irrigated croplands, which links trends and scenarios with water supply, water allocation, and agricultural water demand. Finally, we provide examples of efforts that leverage the framework to improve simulations of irrigated croplands as well as identify opportunities for interventions that increase agricultural productivity, resiliency, and sustainability.

Irrigated Agriculture; Crop Model; Hydrologic Mode↗
DOE OSTI2020

Policy-Driven Sustainable Saline Drainage Disposal and Forage Production in the Western San Joaquin Valley of California

Environmental policies to address water quality impairments in the San Joaquin River of California have focused on the reduction of salinity and selenium-contaminated subsurface agricultural drainage loads from westside sources. On 31 December 2019, all of the agricultural drainage from a 44,000 ha subarea on the western side of the San Joaquin River basin was curtailed. This policy requires the on-site disposal of all of the agricultural drainage water in perpetuity, except during flooding events, when emergency drainage to the River is sanctioned. The reuse of this saline agricultural drainage water to irrigate forage crops, such as ‘Jose’ tall wheatgrass and alfalfa, in a 2428 ha reuse facility provides an economic return on this pollutant disposal option. Irrigation with brackish water requires careful management to prevent salt accumulation in the crop root zone, which can impact forage yields. The objective of this study was to optimize the sustainability of this reuse facility by maximizing the evaporation potential while achieving cost recovery. This was achieved by assessing the spatial and temporal distribution of the root zone salinity in selected fields of ‘Jose’ tall wheatgrass and alfalfa in the drainage reuse facility, some of which have been irrigated with brackish subsurface drainage water for over fifteen years. Electromagnetic soil surveys using an EM-38 instrument were used to measure the spatial variability of the salinity in the soil profile. The tall wheatgrass fields were irrigated with higher salinity water (1.2–9.3 dS m -1 ) compared to the fields of alfalfa (0.5–6.5 dS m -1 ). Correspondingly, the soil salinity in the tall wheatgrass fields was higher (12.5 dS m -1 –19.3 dS m -1 ) compared to the alfalfa fields (8.97 dS mm -1 –14.4 dS mm -1 ) for the years 2016 and 2017. Better leaching of salts was observed in the fields with a subsurface drainage system installed (13–1 and 13–2). The depth-averaged root zone salinity data sets are being used for the calibration of the transient hydro-salinity computer model CSUID-ID (a one-dimensional version of the Colorado State University Irrigation Drainage Model). This user-friendly decision support tool currently provides a useful framework for the data collection needed to make credible, field-scale salinity budgets. In time, it will provide guidance for appropriate leaching requirements and potential blending decisions for sustainable forage production. This paper shows the tie between environmental drainage policy and the role of local governance in the development of sustainable irrigation practices, and how well-directed collaborative field research can guide future resource management.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Photosynthetic responses to light levels in drought-tolerant novel peanut (Arachis hypogaea L) genotypes

Abstract Drought is a significant abiotic stressor that reduces peanut production because it alters photosynthetic activity and impacts crop growth. Therefore, developing drought-tolerant peanut genotypes capable of maintaining higher photosynthetic rates (A) under stress is crucial. This study assessed changes in photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence responses to light (photosynthetic photon flux density, PPFD) in newly bred drought-tolerant peanut genotypes. Ten genotypes [NM-3, NM-5, NM-6, NM-23, NM-69, NM-70, NM-74, NM-77, V-C, and C-76–16] were evaluated under full irrigation (FC 100 ) and deficit irrigation (FC 50 ) in a split-plot design with four replications in a greenhouse. Under high PPFD levels, genotype NM-5 with deficit irrigation exhibited significantly higherA, stomatal conductance (gs), quantum efficiency of photosystem II (ΦPSII), and electron transport rate (ETR) by 40–59%, 135–525%, 31–212%, and 31–102%, respectively, than check varieties (V-C and C-76–16) and other genotypes. The NM-74 and NM-77 genotypes also performed well under deficit irrigations but with slightly lowerA,gs, ΦPSII, and ETR. Genotypes NM-5, NM-23, NM-74, and NM-77 exhibited significantly higher quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv’/Fm’) and photochemical quenching (qP) with higher light intensities in the daily cycle under deficit irrigation. The decline in ETR at the same PPFD levels in NM-3, NM 69, NM-70, and C-76–16 indicated photoinhibition or saturation of the photosynthetic apparatus compared to other genotypes. Concurrently, FC 100 irrigation level minimizes photoinhibition, enhancingA,gs, ΦPSII, and ETR in the genotypes than FC 50 . Therefore, we conclude that NM-5, NM-74, and NM-77 genotypes can perform better under water deficit environments. As such, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters Fv’/Fm’ and qP can be considered for selective breeding to enhance photosynthetic efficiencies.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2026

Overcoming environmental constraints to high-yielding eastern cottonwood productivity in the southeastern United States

The global demand for biomass is rising, and Populus species are among the most productive temperate woody plants. This 6-year study, conducted in Sumter County, South Carolina, USA evaluated the effects of supplemental irrigation and fertilization on crown and leaf traits, dry weight productivity, and clonal variation in Populus deltoides. Eight commercially available clones (‘ST148’, ‘S2C20’, ‘3167’, ‘ST72’, ‘20WV’, ‘S7C1’, ‘ST70’, and ‘S7C15’) were assessed. Drip irrigation was applied to maintain soil tension at either 33 kPa (15% volumetric soil moisture) or 1500 kPa (10%). Nutrient treatments via weekly fertigation applications consisted of two levels: a high annual rate (initially 85 kg elemental nitrogen ha−1 year−1, increasing to 182 kg ha−1 year−1 at Year 3, then reduced to 135 kg ha−1 year−1 thereafter) and a low rate at 50% of the high treatment. Dry weight yields were estimated using standing tree measurements. Results revealed significant clonal differences in leaf area index (LAI) that peaked in Year 3, with the fastest-growing clones exhibiting lower LAI values. At Ages 2 and 3, these clones also showed higher concentrations of K, Ca, B, Cu, and Mn in leaves, along with lower Mg and Zn concentrations. Both annual height and diameter growth varied significantly by treatment and clone, with the largest height increases observed in the low fertilizer treatments from Year 3 onward. Biomass production in all irrigated plots exceeded that of non-irrigated plots across all biomass components at Ages 4, 5, and 6. Furthermore, stem-to-root dry weight ratios increased more rapidly in the best-performing treatment–clone combinations compared to non-irrigated plots. Notably, P. deltoides plots receiving fertilizer had higher soil carbon concentrations (i.e., percent C) compared to adjacent sweetgum, sycamore, and agricultural plots. These findings highlight the potential of targeted irrigation strategies to enhance biomass productivity in P. deltoides plantations.

Tuskan, Gerald [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000301061289)↗