TRICKLE-L: 199601XX
is the compilation of discussion during Jan 96
via AB4EL Web Digests @ SunSITE
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Wed Jan 3 23:15 EST 1996
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 17:04:15 -0600
Message-Id: <199601032304.AA09976@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 384
Contents:
TRICKLE-L digest 384 NOT RECEIVED
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 21:35:59 -0800 (PST)
From: AB4EL <modena@SunSITE.unc.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 384 NOT RECEIVED
TRICKLE-L digest 384 NOT RECEIVED
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Thu Jan 4 23:15 EST 1996
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 1996 17:04:15 -0600
Message-Id: <199601042304.AA09976@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 385
Contents:
Re: unsubscribe trickle (David Van Horne <dvh@rain.org>)
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 1996 21:35:59 -0800 (PST)
From: David Van Horne <dvh@rain.org>
Subject: Re: unsubscribe trickle
unsubscribe trickle
end
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Sat Jan 6 18:34 EST 1996
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 1996 17:05:13 -0600
Message-Id: <199601052305.AA00910@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 386
Contents:
Re: tensiometers (Keith Smettem <hydsol@uniwa.uwa.edu.au>)
Happy New year and an update (Richard Mead <rmead@asrr.arsusda.gov>)
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 1996 10:45:25 +0800 (WST)
From: Keith Smettem <hydsol@uniwa.uwa.edu.au>
Subject: Re: tensiometers
Tony,
I suggest you contact Keith Bristow at CSIRO Soils in Townsville.
While I was there we developed a portable hand held tensiometer-transducer
system that uses pencil size ceramics. Very good for precise local work.
As for water content, the new Trime TDR has 5 cm probes with a narrow
spacing, and one of the new probes from Soil moisture inc is also quite
compact. Contact irricrop at Narrabri for details. regards, Keith
Smettem, Soils UWA.
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 1996 17:05:22 -0500
From: Richard Mead <rmead@asrr.arsusda.gov>
Subject: Happy New year and an update
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!
1995 was a very good year for TRICKLE-L. Despite a minor controversy,
we had great discussions and I hope everyone got something out of our
"Coffee Shop" atmosphere. The archive logs from November and December
are still not in, but archives before that can be obtained by sending the
standard
"GET TRICKLE-L LOG 95XX" to "LISTSERV@UNL.EDU". If you have questions
about how to obtain the archives, please e-mail me personally. Trickle-L
subscriber Steve Medena has been kind enough to collect all Trickle-L
archives on the World Wide Web. You can reference
these from WMRL homepage at:
HTTP://asset.arsusda.gov/wmrl/wmrl.html
Trickle-L has been rather quiet lately and I just want to let every one know
that
I plan to start weekly essays to initiate discussions very soon. Writing
research papers,
preparing talks and setting up new webpages keeps me very busy (I love it !!).
If anyone has major announcements pertaining to meetings, product
development or constructive
comments about Trickle-L discussion and format, please send the information
to me via e-mail OR post to the TRICKLE-L@UNL.EDU address.
Described below are answers to the Trickle-L survey from YOSSI INGBER.
Thanks Yossi and Welcome to Trickle-L !! If there are other new subscribers
please feel don't be so shy and free to introduce yourself and respond to the
survey which accompanied the welcome letter and information.
Richard Mead
Trickle-L owner/manager
****************************************************************************
********
1) Briefly, what is your affiliation with trickle/drip irrigation?
> I'm the head of Engineering and Technical Support Department at
Netafim-Magal Israel<.
>An agricultural engineer/soil and water by profession<
2) What crops or plants do you use drip irrigation on?
>We design and spec drip irrigation systems to a variety of applications <
3) If using subsurface drip irrigation, what is the average depth of
placement of the drip lateral?
> Depends on the specific application , a wide issue !!<
4) What problems have you encountered with drip irrigation?
>A professional design work should overcome most of the common
difficulties with drip irrigation ,
>to name a few topics to be careful about : filtration , fertigation ,
dripper's performance , vacuum conditions and more<
6) Have you experienced a reduction in fertilizer and/or water use?
>Not always , if the reason to implement drip is saving than it is
achievable !<
7) Do you have water quality problems? If so, how do you tackle the situation?
>Filtration is a key success factor - we all need to spend more time
to exchange ideas about it <
****************************************************************************
********
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Sat Jan 6 23:18 EST 1996
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 1996 17:05:35 -0600
Message-Id: <199601062305.AA10460@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 387
Contents:
Short Courses (cburt@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu (Charles M. Burt))
Re:Irrigation control for SDI for permanent crops (geoflowr@halcyon.com (Rodney Ruskin))
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 1996 15:55:29 -0800
From: cburt@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu (Charles M. Burt)
Subject: Short Courses
The Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) at Cal Poly will have
the following short courses open to the irrigation industry:
Agricultural Irrigation Evaluation
March 20-22
We wrote the book on Irrigation Evaluation procedures, and the latest
software is in Windows format. The course emphasizes the concepts of
efficiency and uniformity (following the results of the latest ASCE Task
Committee on "Describing Efficiency and Uniformity", which Charles Burt
chaired), plus the field measurements which are needed to provide data for
the computer programs. The computer programs are more or less self
explanatory. They include procedures for drip/micro, hand move sprinklers,
furrow, border strip, undertree sprinkler, and linear moves. The primary
number which they generate is the SYSTEM DUlq, and they allow a person to
know what percentage of the non-uniformity is due to which factors. The
class is about half indoors and half outdoors. This class is sponsored by
the Calif. DWR and the USBR.
Cost = $200. Includes 2 lunches, snacks, and software.
DESIGNER/MANAGER SCHOOL IRRIGATION (4th year)
We have a series of classes offered over a 2 week period. They are serious
classes, meant for people who really want to know the details. We've found
that they offer something to both the novice (assuming they take the
pre-requisites) and the experiences person. Again, we spend a fair amount
of time outdoors.
We write the material for the classes and they are taught by professional
teachers with plenty of field and private industry experience. For example,
we utilize our new book on Drip/Microirrigation and the new book of
FERTIGATION, both about 300 pages long. We also try to put together good
outdoor exercises, and the ITRC has enough PC's to enable students to
utilize them easily when we have problems using PC's (again, we have our
own software that is used).
The following classes are related to agricultural irrigation. We also have
other classes related to landscape.
A person can take one or all (except concurrent) classes. For each class,
we have a list of suggested pre-requisites. For example, for the
Drip/Micro design, one should understand Soil Plant Water Relations, Basic
Hydraulics, Basic Pumps, and Chemigation.
Date Title Cost, $
7/15 Soil Plant Water Relations 150
7/16 Basic Hydraulics 120
7/17 Basic Pumps 150
7/18-19 Advanced Pumps (2 day - a new class) 250
7/18 Chemigation 120
7/19 Row Crop Drip 120
7/22-24 Drip/Micro Irrigation Design 360
7/25-26 Irrigation Scheduling, Salinity, and Drainage 240
In addition to these, we have many other classes throughout the year both
here at the ITRC and throughout California. If you want to get on our
mailing list, contact me or the office staff at:
Charles Burt
Irrigation Training and Research Center
Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
office phone: (805) 756-2434
FAX: (805) 756-2433
e-mail: cburt@oboe.calpoly.edu
If you want class registration forms, also contact me or the office staff.
Date: Sat, 6 Jan 1996 09:32:23 -0800
From: geoflowr@halcyon.com (Rodney Ruskin)
Subject: Re:Irrigation control for SDI for permanent crops
There has been a lot of discussion about soil water moisture sensing. As
has been demonstrated by the USDA/ARS in Fresno SDI requires very reliable
information to schedule irrigations in order to achieve the outstanding
results in yield and water use which are possible. We need technology which
is practical and economic for hundreds of acres and not a research tool for
experimental plots.
By asking very successful SDI growers of almonds and pecans I have formed
an opinion that I would like to pass on to the group. I have found one
method which appears to be very successful - not surprisingly this method
was developed specifically for SDI by Claude Phene, formerly of the ARS,
Fresno.
The computerized system uses an automated, screened Class "A" evaporation
pan with a crop coefficient and soil sensors used in a relative feedback
mode. Evaporation from the pan multiplied by crop coefficient determines
when and how much to irrigate and the relative change in soil moisture
tells the system whether the correct amount of water is applied. The
control system is remotely accessible in real time via touch-tone 'phone
from anywhere in the World. This feature can be used to download data,
change or update software, monitor and control various features remotely
and provide alarms.
I am told that irrigation efficiency using this method with a uniform SDI
system has been above 94% and water application reductions were 20% to 60%
depending on crops, irrigation systems and management being used for the
comparisons; corresponding commercial yield increases ranging from 15 to
50% have been achieved with nut crops.
Claude tells me that a custom designed system costs about $20,000, and is
capable of controlling several hundred acres.
Despite urging from our leader, Richard Mead, and myself Claude is not a
member of Trickle-l. His snail mail address follows for anyone who may wish
to contact him.
Dr. Claude J. Phene, Ph.D.
P. O. Box 314
Clovis, CA 93613
Tel: 209 298-8068 Fax: -0513
Rodney Ruskin.
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Thu Jan 11 19:27 EST 1996
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 1996 13:16:53 -0600
Message-Id: <199601111916.AA10965@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 388
Contents:
SSDI on Alfalfa (Goldberg <goldberg@eden.com>)
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 1996 13:00:13 -0600
From: Goldberg <goldberg@eden.com>
Subject: SSDI on Alfalfa
Richard: In reading the trickle-l archives from earlier this year, I =
noticed that you are doing a five-year study of SSDI on alfalfa. Has =
that study been completed so that copies can now be released? =20
Rick Goldberg
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Fri Jan 12 19:28 EST 1996
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 1996 13:17:31 -0600
Message-Id: <199601121917.AA00247@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 389
Contents:
Re: SDI Alfalfa information (Richard Mead <rmead@asrr.arsusda.gov>)
Re: SDI Alfalfa information (GroAire@aol.com)
Re: Alfalfa project soil type (Richard Mead <rmead@asrr.arsusda.gov>)
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 1996 17:13:18 -0500
From: Richard Mead <rmead@asrr.arsusda.gov>
Subject: Re: SDI Alfalfa information
Regarding:
>Richard: In reading the trickle-l archives from earlier this year, I
>noticed that you are doing a five-year study of SSDI on alfalfa. Has
>that study been completed so that copies can now be released?
>
>Rick Goldberg
That report on the alfalfa project will not be out on the Internet yet. I
will let everyone know when it is finally published. However, I am going to
present the results from the SDI alfalfa project at the 1996 ASA California
Plant and Soil Conference in Modesto, California (January 17 & 18). But for
those who can't make the meeting and others who have requested this
information from me for quite some time, I will display most of the contents
of the poster here. Please excuse my interchanging of International and
English units and their order. I'm doing this on the fly.......
SUBSURFACE DRIP AND FURROW IRRIGATION OF ALFALFA:
ET, Salinity and Growth Responses
R. B. Hutmacher, R. M. Mead, P. Shouse, R. Swain, J. Jobes, S. S. Vail, M.S.
Peters, D. Clark, and C.J. Phene
BACKGROUND
Alfalfa is a high water use crop when grown in an arid environment such as
the Imperial Valley of Southern California. Subsurface drip irrigation has
shown potential to reduce short-term water deficits, increase growth and
yield, and improve water and nutrient use efficiency. A study was initiated
in the Imperial Valley in 1991 to determine crop water use and yield
responses, as well as potential management constraints using subsurface drip
irrigation for forage alfalfa production under low desert condition.
OBJECTIVES
To determine:
1) Crop water use, soil water depletion patterns and yield responses to deep
subsurface drip and furrow irrigation under bed culture conditions using
saline 1.2 dS/m irrigation water.
2) The influence of subsurface drip lateral spacing (40 in or 1 m vs. 80 in
or 2 m) on crop growth and soil water distribution.
3) Patterns of salt accumulation under subsurface drip and furrow irrigation
4) Impact on leaching requirements
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Irrigated Treatments
Furrow (F): 40 in or 1m beds, 2 to 3 irrigations of 60 to 110 mm (2.5 to 4.2
inches) between harvests.
Subsurface drip (40 and 80 in or 1 and 2 m lateral spacing) of two hardhose
drip laterals; RAM and ROOTGUARD. All emitters had outputs of 2 l/hr (half
gallon/hr) and emitter spacing was 1 m or 40 in.
PHASE I (1991-1992)
-Drip system installed 40-45cm (15-18 in) deep and centered under beds.
Alfalfa was planted spring 1991. First harvest was June 1991 and phase I was
terminated Dec. 92.
System Operation (1991)
-All drip treatments supplied amounts equal to evapotranspiration (Etc) as
measured by a lysimeter which resulted in surface wetting due to water
moving up from the "shallow" 40 cm (15 inch) emitter placement.
System Operation (1992)
-All drip treatments fully supplied ET during first 15-20 days after bale
removal then reduced to 50-75% Etc 4 to 6 days before each harvest to dry
the soil surface for machinery.
PHASE II (1993-1995)
System Operation (1993)
-The entire field was sprinkler irrigated with 125mm (~5 in) after first
alfalfa was removed.
-A new drip system was "re-installed" 65-70 cm (26-27.5) deep and centered
under the beds.
-Sudangrass was grown for the remaining year through October
System Operation (1994-1995)
-Alfalfa was replanted in Spring 1994
-First Harvest was April 1994
-All drip treatments supply amounts equal to Etc during the entire
growth/harvest cycle with no surface wet areas
RESULTS-PHASE I
Problems Influencing Irrigation Scheduling and Harvest Equipment Trafficability
-Drip tubing at the 40cm (15 in) depth allowed wetting of 2 to 3% of the
total bed surface area, resulting in several problems:
-Distribution of harvest equipment movement
-Disrupted the soil severe enough to damage crowns
-Increased evaporation losses and weed infestations
-Due to these problems:
-In 1992 irrigation had to be reduced by 50% or more for 5 days prior to
harvest to reduce wet areas during for harvest. This resulted in some water
deficits.
-Due to water deficits and potential growth effects, drip tubing was
installed deeper for 1993-1995
SUMMARY OF PHASE I (1991-1992)
-Drip plot yields over 18 months averaged 20 % higher than furrow plots
-The 40 in (1m) drip plots had higher yields than the 80 in (2m) plots
during the first year, but not during the second. Type of tube had no effect.
-Etc was only 6% lower in the drip than in furrow
-Most stored soil water below 90 cm depth was depleted during the first year
and winter applications did not fully replace it
RESULTS OF PHASE II AND SUMMARY-
Soil water use/Root distribution:
-After crop establishment in the first summer of Phase I, soil water use and
active roots in both furrow and drip plots were confined to the upper
0.9-1.0 m (35-40 in) of the profile.
-During Phase II, soil water use and roots in furrow plots again were
largely restricted to the upper 0.9 m (35 in), but soil water use and higher
root mass extends to a greater depth (~1.2m or 4 ft.) in drip plots
General Findings:
- Drip plot yields averaged 28 to 35% higher than furrow plots
- Total water applications were similar across all irrigation treatments
- Improvements in water use efficiency under subsurface drip were due to
increased yields NOT water savings
- Drip tubing type and lateral spacing did not significantly affect yields
- Most roots were limited to the upper 0.9 m (35 in) of the soil profile in
both furrow and subsurface drip
SALINITY DISTRIBUTION:
-During each of the two year phase of this experiment, considerable salt
accumulation occurred with continued use of saline irrigation water.
-Salt distribution was significantly affected by location within bed
(distance from the center of the bed)
-Root zone soil extract EC values were in excess of Mass-Hoffman threshold
EC values for yield reduction after 12-18 months of irrigation during either
phase
-Winter sprinkler irrigation for leaching purposes will be required on at
least a two-year frequency when using the Colorado River water for either
furrow or drip irrigation.
****************************************************************************
*************************
Any questions concerning the above study, please post them to the group as a
whole (trickle-L@unl.edu) since
many are interested in this first of a kind study in North America.
Richard Mead
Trickle-L owner/manager
USDA-ARS-WMRL
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 1996 20:14:47 -0500
From: GroAire@aol.com
Subject: Re: SDI Alfalfa information
I was curious as to the type of soils that you were dealing with. Also the
percentages of sand, silt, and clay.
Dave Enyeart
GroAire@aol.com
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 1996 10:55:14 -0500
From: Richard Mead <rmead@asrr.arsusda.gov>
Subject: Re: Alfalfa project soil type
Re:>I was curious as to the type of soils that you were dealing with. Also the
percentages of sand, silt, and clay.<
>Dave Enyeart<
>GroAire@aol.com<
Dave,
The soil was a Holtville silty clay loam.
I'm guessing but the % sand, silt and clay are
around 5, 60 and 35% respectively. It is also
a 2:1 montmorillonite type clay....it cracks a lot.
Richard Mead
Trickle-L owner/manager
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Sat Jan 13 19:29 EST 1996
Date: Sat, 13 Jan 1996 13:17:42 -0600
Message-Id: <199601131917.AA10951@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 390
Contents:
Re: Alfalfa project soil type (GroAire@aol.com)
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 1996 19:39:35 -0500
From: GroAire@aol.com
Subject: Re: Alfalfa project soil type
I inadvertantly deleted the article you ran last night on SDI in Alfalfa.
Could you swend me another copy?
Dave Enyeart
GroAire@aol.com
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Mon Jan 15 18:16 EST 1996
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 12:03:27 -0600
Message-Id: <199601151803.AA00358@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 391
Contents:
Fertigation (MEAD2513@aol.com)
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 13:05:53 -0500
From: MEAD2513@aol.com
Subject: Fertigation
I noticed from my notes months ago that I had promised to discuss..
"Fertigation"
Being mid winter in the northern hemisphere and mid summer in southern
hemisphere might be the perfect time to discuss fertigation (i.e. those of us
planning this spring's activities vs. those in "mid-stream" of fertigation).
The great thing about fertigation is the synchronizing of water and nutrients
to create an optimum supply of nutrition to the crop at various stages of
growth. What to add, when, and how much are the main issues. But, before we
get into that area, some general management techniques are critical to insure
maximum utilization of the fertilizer injected:
1) Keep good records.
2) Match the fertilizer application rate to hydraulic properties of your
soil.
3) Keep agitating for homogeneous solutions.
4) Watch the solubility due to temperature effects.
5) Application uniformity. A chemical pump, venturi, pressure differential
tank or bladder tank will each deliver different application uniformities.
6) Chemical travel time. Base it on when the last emitter in the field
receives the nutrient.
7) For SDI specifically, will your fertigated nutrient reach a seedling, or
should you side-dress early in the year?
Any other management techniques??
Does anybody have a list of ALL "liquid" fertilizers used in drip
applications?
Also, is there a list of fertilizers that should NOT be mixed together (e.g.
Ammonium sulfate mixed with potassium chloride = formation of potassium
sulfate, reducing volubility of mix).
Do you have any horror stories that you would like to contribute?
Richard Mead
Trickle-L owner/manager
USDA-ARS-WMRL
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Tue Jan 16 18:14 EST 1996
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 12:03:28 -0600
Message-Id: <199601161803.AA19777@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 392
Contents:
Re: Fertigation (cburt@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu (Charles M. Burt))
Re: Fertigation (GroAire@aol.com)
Re: Fertigation (al shields <shieldsa@andrews.edu>)
Re: Fertigation (Seth N Asare <sasare@uoguelph.ca>)
New Zealand Soil Moisture Sensor (Stephen Rawlins <srawlins@ncw.net>)
Fertigation (brhanson@ucdavis.edu)
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 15:29:07 -0800
From: cburt@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu (Charles M. Burt)
Subject: Re: Fertigation
I strongly recommend our almost 300 page book on FERTIGATION. No sense in
re-inventing the wheel.
Charles Burt
Cal Poly ITRC
>I noticed from my notes months ago that I had promised to discuss..
>"Fertigation"
>
>Being mid winter in the northern hemisphere and mid summer in southern
>hemisphere might be the perfect time to discuss fertigation (i.e. those of us
>planning this spring's activities vs. those in "mid-stream" of fertigation).
>
>The great thing about fertigation is the synchronizing of water and nutrients
>to create an optimum supply of nutrition to the crop at various stages of
>growth. What to add, when, and how much are the main issues. But, before we
>get into that area, some general management techniques are critical to insure
>maximum utilization of the fertilizer injected:
>
>1) Keep good records.
>2) Match the fertilizer application rate to hydraulic properties of your
>soil.
>3) Keep agitating for homogeneous solutions.
>4) Watch the solubility due to temperature effects.
>5) Application uniformity. A chemical pump, venturi, pressure differential
>tank or bladder tank will each deliver different application uniformities.
>6) Chemical travel time. Base it on when the last emitter in the field
>receives the nutrient.
>7) For SDI specifically, will your fertigated nutrient reach a seedling, or
>should you side-dress early in the year?
>
>Any other management techniques??
>
>Does anybody have a list of ALL "liquid" fertilizers used in drip
>applications?
>
>Also, is there a list of fertilizers that should NOT be mixed together (e.g.
>Ammonium sulfate mixed with potassium chloride = formation of potassium
>sulfate, reducing volubility of mix).
>
>Do you have any horror stories that you would like to contribute?
>
>Richard Mead
>Trickle-L owner/manager
>USDA-ARS-WMRL
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 21:40:26 -0500
From: GroAire@aol.com
Subject: Re: Fertigation
OK so CalPoly has a book that is 300 pages of fertigation. But I still don"t
know where or how to order. Also the price would be nice.
Dave Enyeart
GroAire@aol.com
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 21:52:42 -0500 (EST)
From: al shields <shieldsa@andrews.edu>
Subject: Re: Fertigation
Pray tell how we may obtain a copy of FERITGATION.
Al Shields
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 07:56:29 -0500 (EST)
From: Seth N Asare <sasare@uoguelph.ca>
Subject: Re: Fertigation
I think recommending a publication to help in a discussion like
fertigation is a very good idea and most helpful but i dont see such
discussion as reiventing the wheel as the colleague who introduced the
book asserted. Fertigation is a relatively new technology and though all
the information required may be in the said book (assuming) there are
aothers in the field or undertaking research who may want to discuss some
of their experiences and findings with the group. please open up and let
the discussions flow. I will try and get your book anyways.
cheers
asare
On Mon, 15 Jan 1996 GroAire@aol.com wrote:
> OK so CalPoly has a book that is 300 pages of fertigation. But I still don"t
> know where or how to order. Also the price would be nice.
>
> Dave Enyeart
> GroAire@aol.com
>
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 05:12:36 -0800
From: Stephen Rawlins <srawlins@ncw.net>
Subject: New Zealand Soil Moisture Sensor
I just heard about a soil moisture sensor from LVL in New Zealand.
Apparently it uses a buried probe about 10-ft long to integrate over
distance. I think it is called "Aquaflex". Does anyone have any
information on this?
Steve Rawlins
APPROPRIATE SYSTEMS
2638 Eastwood Avenue
Richland, WA 99352
Phone 509-627-4943
FAX 509-627-1841
Email srawlins@ncw.net
APPROPRIATE SYSTEMS
2638 Eastwood Avenue
Richland, WA 99352
Phone 509-627-4943
FAX 509-627-1841
Email srawlins@ncw.net
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 08:25:51 -0800 (PST)
From: brhanson@ucdavis.edu
Subject: Fertigation
In response to Richard's request on mixing fertilizers, UNOCAL has developed
a compatibility chartl for 35 different chemcials. The chart can be obtained
from the UNOCAL office in Fresno CA. Perhaps Richard could find the name of
a contact and the address. I got my copy from the Sacramento CA officie,
which had to call Fresno.
Blaine Hanson
Extension Irrigation and Drainage Specialist
Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources
University of California, Davis, CA 95616
Tel. (916) 752-1130
FAX (916) 752-5262
E-mail: brhanson@ucdavis.edu
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Wed Jan 17 18:20 EST 1996
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 12:08:25 -0600
Message-Id: <199601171808.AA12740@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 393
Contents:
Fertigation (cburt@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu (Charles M. Burt))
On site soluablization of dry fertilizers (LodiCraig@aol.com)
Re: Fertigation:thanks (flowers@Rt66.com (wilderness flowers))
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 15:21:09 -0800
From: cburt@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu (Charles M. Burt)
Subject: Fertigation
I agree about the benefits of discussing ideas and experiences on drip,
fertigation, etc. Of course, that's why this group exists. My note on our
book was put together real fast, and now that I re-read it, it sounds as if
we have answered every questions that exists - obviously an impossibility.
However, I should give you the history of the book. I've been teaching a
class on Fertigation with Tom Ruehr of the Soil Science Dept. here at Cal
Poly for about 9 years. Each year we have refined our class notes, and we
have also given a number of 1 day short courses on the topic.
The California Energy Commission funded us to really delve into the whole
matter, so that we could spend the time researching exactly what the best
farmers are doing, what's the latest on polymers, the newest types of
liquid fertilizers, what mixes, what doesn't mix, why you should use
ammonium vs. nitrate at various stages of plant growth, etc, etc.. We also
consolidated information on hardware that can be purchased, label
requirements, etc. The result was the book that has been out for less than
a year.
The reason we did it is so that people don't have to do all of that
research, themselves and so that they can get up on the learning curve real
quickly. For example, the UNOCAL table that Blaine Hanson mentioned in his
message is included in the book.
Anyway, in response to those of you who asked for the price:
$34.95 plus tax ($2.53) if applicable and shipping/handling
U.S. shipping/handling: $5.95 for 1
$8.75 for 2 or more
Canada shipping/handling: $7.95 for 1
$10.75 for 2 or more
Other foreign shipping/handling: $9.90/book for surface shipment
We have discounts for large orders.
Send a check to:
ITRC
Dept. of Ag. Engr.
Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Make the check payable to the "ITRC".
For information on volume discounts, call 805-756-2434
Charles Burt
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 03:13:38 -0500
From: LodiCraig@aol.com
Subject: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers
Hi Gang!
My biggest issue in fertigation is how to most economically and efficently
injects the nutrients I desire into the system. What's the best way to
soluablize dry fertilizers on site?
Take for example Potassium Sulfate. As a winegrape grower, I have seen some
great responses from applying this form of K. Initially our full service
fertilizer providers mixed it up to 5 to 7% K at their batch plant, shipped
it to us, and we pumped it into the system. That works ... but its cheaper
if you buy the stuff dry and save money on shipping a lot of water around.
Now I'm fumbling along with a Solution Systems machine. It works, but I
would hardly describe the expensive piece of fiberglass and steel as clean,
efficient, or automatable. If I shut off the power (or the starlings crash
the powerlines together) with a full load, the K2SO4 settles out around the
agitator like heavy sand ... and I get to climb in the tank and dig the stuff
out ... ouch ... watch out for that sharp agitator blade buried in the white
muck! ... boy that stuff can burn a cut!
Does anybody have experience with (or ideas about) more elegant ways to
soluablize margionably soluable materials? How about bulk handling systems?
Twenty five tons gets pretty tiresome with 50 pound sacks.
Craig Thompson, Lodi, CA
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 96 09:16:46 MST
From: flowers@Rt66.com (wilderness flowers)
Subject: Re: Fertigation:thanks
>
>
>Charles Burt
thanks for the info the check is in the mail
Martin
>
>
>
>
Martin Connaughton
Wilderness Flowers
Rt 19 box 111-D
Santa Fe,NM 87505 USA
505 988 3096/ fax also
e mail: Flowers@rt66.com
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Thu Jan 18 18:21 EST 1996
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 1996 12:09:26 -0600
Message-Id: <199601181809.AA03090@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 394
Contents:
Re: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers (sjordan@seldon.terminus.com (Steve Jordan))
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 23:02:31 -0800
From: sjordan@seldon.terminus.com (Steve Jordan)
Subject: Re: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers
>Now I'm fumbling along with a Solution Systems machine.
>Does anybody have experience with (or ideas about) more elegant ways to
>soluablize margionably soluable materials? How about bulk handling systems?
> Twenty five tons gets pretty tiresome with 50 pound sacks.
>
Local (Santa Barbara County) vegetable growers use a dry hopper that is
matched to the machine. I can check out the supplier. Some have (semi-)
automated it. It will never be as automatic as a liquid rig, but the
salesman (!) says there are some tricks of the trade.
When I learn more I will relate. They are in vogue here.
Steve Jordan @ Second Foundation
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Fri Jan 19 18:25 EST 1996
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 12:09:27 -0600
Message-Id: <199601191809.AA26923@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 395
Contents:
Re: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers (GrapeGrowr@aol.com)
Native grasses (GroAire@aol.com)
Re: Fertigation (GroAire@aol.com)
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 1996 14:45:47 -0500
From: GrapeGrowr@aol.com
Subject: Re: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers
As a grape grower, I also use alot of K and have been buying it dry now for
the last 5 years, both sulfer based and nitrogen based. We have a home made
rig that works great. Large fiberglass cone shoped hopper with large volume
PTO driven water pump that mixes anything. I'll send you a photo if you
want.
R. Carian
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 1996 18:48:00 -0500
From: GroAire@aol.com
Subject: Native grasses
I'm involved in a land reclamation project involving the establishment of
native grasses. Has anyone performed any research involving drip and native
grasses and shrubs. Also where might I look for rooting depths as well as
where the main water bearing roots are in the total root zone. I would also
need to know about the ability of the plants to use what percentage of water
out of the soil profile before entering into a stress mode.
Dave Enyeart
GroAire@aol.com
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 1996 19:07:13 -0500
From: GroAire@aol.com
Subject: Re: Fertigation
Unocal's address is as follows:
Unocal Chemicals & Minerals Division
P.O. Box 60455, Room 5-L24
Los Angeles, Ca 90060
213-977-5384
I've been investigating their product line of "N-phuric" fertilizers. As i
work very closely with organic farmers, Unocal has been attempting to obtain
some certifications for some of their product lines.
Dave Enyeart
GroAire@aol.com
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Sat Jan 20 22:12 EST 1996
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 12:10:01 -0600
Message-Id: <199601201810.AA09840@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 396
Contents:
Re: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers (JImB1331@aol.com)
Re: Native grasses (GrapeGrowr@aol.com)
Introductory comment (Richard Mead <rmead@asrr.arsusda.gov>)
Re: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers (LodiCraig@aol.com)
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 15:15:12 -0500
From: JImB1331@aol.com
Subject: Re: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers
Hi all,
Our company builds custom chemical feed systems, and this application sounds
like a natural for us. We currently provide ag based systems throughout the
country, and to many of the veggie washers and processors.
Please email with applications, and we can discuss them on the list, or call
me.
Jim Beshears
Stranco
800 882-6466
Jimb1331@aol.com
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 16:48:31 -0500
From: GrapeGrowr@aol.com
Subject: Re: Native grasses
Call Rudy Neja, USDA University of Ca Extension service in Indio CA. I know
he is looking into diferent type of cover crops etc. (619) 863-8293. Maybe
he can help.
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 18:51:13 -0500
From: Richard Mead <rmead@asrr.arsusda.gov>
Subject: Introductory comment
The following is a reply from a new member of Trickle-L, Bill Pogue.
====================================================================
Company founded 1951 by Tom Prosser as The Prosser Co. Developed one of the
first commercial tensiometers- the IRROMETER. Company reputation was built
by Sheldon Pooley who retired in 1984, and was replaced by Bill Pogue who
joined
the company in 1980. Company developed the first switching tensiometer-
Model
RA- in the late 1960's. Acquired the WATERMARK sensor in 1989 from Glenn
Larson who invented it in the early 1980's. In 1994, introduced the Model
LT
IRROMETER- the first tensiometer with a full scale, bourdon tube type gauge,
which
covers only the 0-40 kPa range- the LOW TENSION end of the soil water range.
Best suited for irrigation regimes where accuracy in the 4-12 kPa range is
vital.
Application include non-soil planting mixes, coarse, sandy soils, highly
water
sensitive crops and miroirrigation. The year 1996 marks our 45th year, and
Pogue's
32nd irrigation "campaign". Our sole business is soil water measurement and
control, as well as soil water sampling equipment [suction lysimeters] used
in the
business of "fertigation". We are pleased to be a new member of TRICKLE-L,
which was referred to us by Tim Wilson of the IA and Robin Franks of
Netafim.
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 12:43:21 -0500
From: LodiCraig@aol.com
Subject: Re: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers
Grapegrwr:
In a message dated 96-01-19 05:06:14 EST, you write:
>We have a home made
>rig that works great. Large fiberglass cone shoped hopper with large volume
>PTO driven water pump that mixes anything. I'll send you a photo if you
>want.
>R. Carian
>
You've got my attention. Being a P.T.O. rig, am I to presume it is a batch
rig? Do you direct inject the mixed material or store it as a liquid for
injection later?
Could you please describe to me how you plumbed the circulation pump? Does
it draw from the top or bottom, where does it return the flow, and how is the
dissolved material injected into the drip system?
Thanks in advance,
Craig Thompson
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Sun Jan 21 18:20 EST 1996
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 1996 12:10:16 -0600
Message-Id: <199601211810.AA18781@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 397
Contents:
NZ Soil Moitsure Sensor ("Brent Clothier" <bclothier@hort.cri.nz>)
Re: NZ Soil Moitsure Sensor (gideon oron <gidi@bgumail.bgu.ac.il>)
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 1996 16:21:22 GMT+1200
From: "Brent Clothier" <bclothier@hort.cri.nz>
Subject: NZ Soil Moitsure Sensor
Stephen Rawlins of Appropriate Systems noted there is a NZ
soil moisture sensor produced by Lincoln Ventures Ltd. More
information can be obtained from Ian Woodhead ("Woody") of
Lincoln Ventures, Fax # [+64] 6 325-3725
Brent Clothier
**********************************************************
Brent Clothier
Environment Group
HortResearch, PB 11-030 Palmerston North
New Zealand
Tel +64 (06) 356 8080 Home Tel: 356 7206
Fax +64 (06) 354-6731 Home Fax: 356 7266
E-mail: clothierb@hort.cri.nz
**********************************************************
Date: Sun, 21 Jan 1996 08:49:15 +0200 (IST)
From: gideon oron <gidi@bgumail.bgu.ac.il>
Subject: Re: NZ Soil Moitsure Sensor
Dear Sir
Can you please send detailed information on your tensiometers to
the foloowing address:
Gideon Oron
Ben-Gurion University
Beer-Sheva 84105
Israel
Think you
Gideon Oron
On Sat, 20 Jan 1996, Brent Clothier wrote:
> Stephen Rawlins of Appropriate Systems noted there is a NZ
> soil moisture sensor produced by Lincoln Ventures Ltd. More
> information can be obtained from Ian Woodhead ("Woody") of
> Lincoln Ventures, Fax # [+64] 6 325-3725
> Brent Clothier
>
> **********************************************************
> Brent Clothier
> Environment Group
> HortResearch, PB 11-030 Palmerston North
> New Zealand
>
> Tel +64 (06) 356 8080 Home Tel: 356 7206
> Fax +64 (06) 354-6731 Home Fax: 356 7266
> E-mail: clothierb@hort.cri.nz
> **********************************************************
>
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Mon Jan 22 19:39 EST 1996
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 1996 12:10:35 -0600
Message-Id: <199601221810.AA03545@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 398
Contents:
China Conference (Richard Mead <rmead@asrr.arsusda.gov>)
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 1996 11:12:06 -0500
From: Richard Mead <rmead@asrr.arsusda.gov>
Subject: China Conference
The following information was sent to me from Trickle-L subscriber Ronggui Yue.
The included information is from China News Digest, US Region.
Some Trickle-L people may be interested.
***Information Included***
International Conference on Agricultural and Biological Environment
Engineering (Aug 15-20, 1996, Chengde, Hebei Province,China)
Forwarded by: Senwen Zhang <qiulj@bepc2.ihep.ac.cn>
THEME AND PRESENTATION SUBJECT AREAS OF THE CONFERENCE
1. Housing and environment control for animal and plant production
- Structural and equipment design considerations
- Sensors and computer applications in environment control
- Thermal and air quality environment control
- The environment for agricultural production storage: design and
control technology
2. Environment control and water management in aquaculture
production
- Monitoring and controlling of water quality for aquaculture
- New technology for aquacultural
3. Advanced farming technologies
- Global Positioning Systems (GPS) development and applications
- Precision farming technologies and practices
- Soilless culture technology
4. Environmental impact and pollution control of intensive farming
- Water quality issues
- Air quality issues
5. Animal waste management and utilization for large-scale animal
production
- Storage, transportation, and land application of animal manure
- Treatment processes and systems for animal manure, and animal
processing wastewater
- Safe disposal of animal mortality
6. Sustainable Agriculture
- Nutrient management planning
- Policy making and governing regulations
7. Biomass energy production and utilization
- Renewable biomass energy for rural areas
- Industry of agricultural crops
- Utilization of special crops
8. Effective education programs in agricultural and biological
environment engineering
CALL FOR PAPERS
All papers in the areas mentioned above are called for. The
abstract of the proposed paper (about 300 words English) should be
sent in before March 1, 1996, and the camera ready copy should be
sent in before May 1, 1996. A proceedings will be published by
August , 1996.
LANGUAGE
The official language of the conference is English.
CONFERENCE SITE
The conference will be held in Chengde city of Hebei Province,
China. Post conference tour will be arranged for the Beijing ----
Xi'an ----Guiling----Guangzhou, and/or Beijing ---- Ji'nan ----
Hangzhou ---- Shanghai
REGISTRATION FEE
Before July 1, 1996 After July 1, 1996
CSAE, ASAE member $350 $380
Nonmember $380 $400
For further information, please contact:
Senwen Zhang, Professor
Dean of the library of China Agricultural University, East campus,
Beijing 100083, P. R. China
Tel: +86-10-2042913 or
+86-10-2016311
Fax: +86-10-2042914
+86-10-2016320
E-mail address: qiulj@bepc2.ihep.ac.cn
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Tue Jan 23 20:10 EST 1996
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 1996 13:59:40 -0600
Message-Id: <199601231959.AA29698@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 399
Contents:
Ontario irrigation publication (jdstewart@KanServU.ca (John Stewart))
(<HRPPXR@hort.cri.nz>)
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 1996 15:47:41 -0500
From: jdstewart@KanServU.ca (John Stewart)
Subject: Ontario irrigation publication
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is
publishing a Best Management Practices book on irrigation. The book is a
general overview on irrigation methods and requirements and economics. A
large section is devoted tor trickle irrigation. It is authored by OMAFRA
employee John Gardner. With a little luck, it will be back from the
printers in time to be distributed at the Ontario Nut Growers annual meeting
Feb. 13.
John Stewart
John Stewart
just making the world more chaotic
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 1996 11:40:52 GMT+1200
From: <HRPPXR@hort.cri.nz>
Subject:
help
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Wed Jan 24 20:11 EST 1996
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 1996 14:00:21 -0600
Message-Id: <199601242000.AA23013@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 400
Contents:
Re: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers (GrapeGrowr@aol.com)
Date: Wed, 24 Jan 1996 09:07:28 -0500
From: GrapeGrowr@aol.com
Subject: Re: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers
Send me your mailing address, and I'll send you a poloroid of the rig with
some details. I inject the material right away. The rest of the questions
will be answered by the photo.
Robertr Carian
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Fri Jan 26 18:15 EST 1996
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 12:01:01 -0600
Message-Id: <199601261801.AA28507@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 401
Contents:
Re: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers (JImB1331@aol.com)
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 1996 12:55:07 -0500
From: JImB1331@aol.com
Subject: Re: On site soluablization of dry fertilizers
Robert,
My mailing address is . . .
Jim Beshears
Stranco
595 Industrial Drive
Bradley, Illinois
60915
800 882-6466
815 932-0674 Fax
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Sat Jan 27 18:16 EST 1996
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 1996 12:02:20 -0600
Message-Id: <199601271802.AA20635@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 402
Contents:
Oxygen in Soil (Richard Mead <rmead@asrr.arsusda.gov>)
Re: Oxygen in Soil (ccarter@gumbo.bae.lsu.edu (Cade Carter))
Re: Oxygen in Soil (cburt@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu (Charles M. Burt))
Re: Native grasses (geoflow1@slip.net (Rodney Ruskin))
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 16:49:22 -0500
From: Richard Mead <rmead@asrr.arsusda.gov>
Subject: Oxygen in Soil
Is there anyone out in Trickle-L land that knows
of someone that has done research on O2 levels or O2
diffusion in soil profiles? I understand it uses platinum
electrodes which probably measures redox changes.
Thanks.
Richard Mead
Trickle-L owner/manager
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 96 16:22:00 CST
From: ccarter@gumbo.bae.lsu.edu (Cade Carter)
Subject: Re: Oxygen in Soil
I did a study on wet soils in sugarcane in the 1970s. I used platinum
electrodes to indicate the reduced oxygen conditions caused by water-
logging. If you want, I can send you a copy of the paper.
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 14:25:56 -0800
From: cburt@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu (Charles M. Burt)
Subject: Re: Oxygen in Soil
I know that we used platinum electrodes in soil physics labs years ago as a
standard lab exercise.
I suggest contacting the Soil Science Dept. at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo -
I believe they still do it as a standard lab experiment.
Charles Burt
>Is there anyone out in Trickle-L land that knows
>of someone that has done research on O2 levels or O2
>diffusion in soil profiles? I understand it uses platinum
>electrodes which probably measures redox changes.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Richard Mead
>Trickle-L owner/manager
Date: Fri, 26 Jan 1996 17:12:55 -0800
From: geoflow1@slip.net (Rodney Ruskin)
Subject: Re: Native grasses
At 5:43 PM 1/18/96 -0600, GroAire@aol.com wrote:
>I'm involved in a land reclamation project involving the establishment of
>native grasses. Has anyone performed any research involving drip and native
>grasses and shrubs. Also where might I look for rooting depths as well as
>where the main water bearing roots are in the total root zone. I would also
>need to know about the ability of the plants to use what percentage of water
>out of the soil profile before entering into a stress mode.
>
>Dave Enyeart
Suggest:
1) Contact your local water agency
2) Ali Davidson, Sonoma County Water Agency, California, Tel: 707 526 5370, and
3)Ronald H, Mark, Xeris Group, Arizona, Tel: 602 944 8800
are both knowledgable in this field.
Good luck,
Rodney Ruskin.
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Sun Jan 28 18:19 EST 1996
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 1996 12:02:37 -0600
Message-Id: <199601281802.AA01247@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 403
Contents:
Insects / larva clogging drip emitters. (LodiCraig@aol.com)
Date: Sat, 27 Jan 1996 20:16:49 -0500
From: LodiCraig@aol.com
Subject: Insects / larva clogging drip emitters.
Hello there:
I have just encountered a minor, but potentially significant (in time)
problem with some kind of fly or gnat larva in my above ground drip emitters.
They appear to be laying their eggs in the discharge end of the emitters,
and the larva work their way into the turbulant path and sometimes the hose,
thus clogging the emitters with their body.
They are currently clogging less than ten percent of my emitters in a small
part of the field, but certainly could become worse with time. I will be
chlorinating to prevent their spread and clear the emitters (hopefully).
Is insect clogging of drip systems documented anywhere? I know of one other
grower who has identified this problem in his field.
Has anyone else had (or know of) a similiar occurance?
Craig Thompson
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Mon Jan 29 18:13 EST 1996
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 12:02:41 -0600
Message-Id: <199601291802.AA16168@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 404
Contents:
Manipulating O2 in soil (LodiCraig@aol.com)
Re: Manipulating O2 in soil (geoflow1@slip.net (Rodney Ruskin))
Re: Manipulating O2 in soil (wolfjohn@oneworld.owt.com (JIM WOLFE))
PAM in Microirrigation? (MEAD2513@aol.com)
Re: Oxygen in Soil ("JOS BALENDONCK, IMAG-DLO, PO-BOX 43, 6700 AA WAGENINGEN, The NETHERLANDS, tel:)
Re: Insect Plugging of Drip Lines/Emitters (tahowell@ag.gov)
Re: Oxygen in Soil (Philip_Small@efcom.wolfe.net (Philip Small))
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 1996 15:10:32 -0500
From: LodiCraig@aol.com
Subject: Manipulating O2 in soil
Hi everyone!
In a message dated 96-01-27 01:02:24 EST, Richard Mead writes:
>Is there anyone out in Trickle-L land that knows
>of someone that has done research on O2 levels or O2
>diffusion in soil profiles?
I too am interested in if there are some advantages to be gained by directly
manipulating
oxygen levels in the soil.
This may be a basic soils science question, but if it is, I must have been
snoozing that day.
I recall a while back, somebody here contributed that they design systems
that pump air into the soil. The claims of rapid soil warming seemed
difficult for me to accept, but what effects can we reasonably expect if we
pump air through our SDI? Could we prevent the soil from 'going sour' during
an unseasonably late and wet spring? Could we get even better N utilization?
Could we encourgage more favorable soil flora?
What do you all think?
Cheers,
Craig
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 1996 18:23:10 -0800
From: geoflow1@slip.net (Rodney Ruskin)
Subject: Re: Manipulating O2 in soil
At 2:15 PM 1/28/96 -0600, LodiCraig@aol.com wrote:
>Hi everyone!
>
>In a message dated 96-01-27 01:02:24 EST, Richard Mead writes:
>
>>Is there anyone out in Trickle-L land that knows
>>of someone that has done research on O2 levels or O2
>>diffusion in soil profiles?
>
>I too am interested in if there are some advantages to be gained by directly
>manipulating
>oxygen levels in the soil.
>
>This may be a basic soils science question, but if it is, I must have been
>snoozing that day.
>
>I recall a while back, somebody here contributed that they design systems
>that pump air into the soil. The claims of rapid soil warming seemed
>difficult for me to accept, but what effects can we reasonably expect if we
>pump air through our SDI? Could we prevent the soil from 'going sour' during
>an unseasonably late and wet spring? Could we get even better N utilization?
> Could we encourgage more favorable soil flora?
>
>What do you all think?
>
>Cheers,
>Craig
Angelo Mazzei
11101 Mountain View Rd., R5
Bakersfield CA 93307.
805 845-2253 Fax: 805 845-3302
was doing experiments with his injectors of putting air and O2 and if I am
not mistaken CO2 into the irrigation water combined with SDI. He claimed
very interesting results on his own farm but I do not know if they have
ever been replicated in double blind studies.
If you find out more please let all of us a Trickle-l know, If validated it
would be a great boost for SDI.
On your other question of insects in the drip system I have known of this
in South Africa. The grower had tadpole like creatures which passed through
the filter as microscopic eggs and then hatched in the tube!!!
"Semper aliquid nova ex Africa" - Pliny.
Rodney.
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 1996 20:32:41 -0800
From: wolfjohn@oneworld.owt.com (JIM WOLFE)
Subject: Re: Manipulating O2 in soil
>At 2:15 PM 1/28/96 -0600, LodiCraig@aol.com wrote:
>>Hi everyone!
>>
>>In a message dated 96-01-27 01:02:24 EST, Richard Mead writes:
>>
>>>Is there anyone out in Trickle-L land that knows
>>>of someone that has done research on O2 levels or O2
>>>diffusion in soil profiles?
>>
>>I too am interested in if there are some advantages to be gained by directly
>>manipulating
>>oxygen levels in the soil.
>>
>>This may be a basic soils science question, but if it is, I must have been
>>snoozing that day.
>>
>>I recall a while back, somebody here contributed that they design systems
>>that pump air into the soil. The claims of rapid soil warming seemed
>>difficult for me to accept, but what effects can we reasonably expect if we
>>pump air through our SDI? Could we prevent the soil from 'going sour' during
>>an unseasonably late and wet spring? Could we get even better N utilization?
>> Could we encourgage more favorable soil flora?
>>
>>What do you all think?
>>
>>Cheers,
>>Craig
>
>Angelo Mazzei
>11101 Mountain View Rd., R5
>Bakersfield CA 93307.
>805 845-2253 Fax: 805 845-3302
>was doing experiments with his injectors of putting air and O2 and if I am
>not mistaken CO2 into the irrigation water combined with SDI. He claimed
>very interesting results on his own farm but I do not know if they have
>ever been replicated in double blind studies.
>
>If you find out more please let all of us a Trickle-l know, If validated it
>would be a great boost for SDI.
>
>On your other question of insects in the drip system I have known of this
>in South Africa. The grower had tadpole like creatures which passed through
>the filter as microscopic eggs and then hatched in the tube!!!
>"Semper aliquid nova ex Africa" - Pliny.
>
>
>Rodney.
>
>
>An Idaho Potato grower by the name of Anderson was injecting air into SDI
systems in the mid 80's. His full name and address might be known by T-Systems
people or Mazzei.
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 00:43:24 -0500
From: MEAD2513@aol.com
Subject: PAM in Microirrigation?
PAM or polyacrylamide, has been used for years to enhance soil structure.
Traditionally used for furrow irrigation systems, the simple organic compound
synthesized from natural gas, can reduce erosion, increase water infiltration
rates and optimize lateral wetting.
If it can be used in furrow systems, can it be injected in drip or microspray
systems for the same purpose of increasing infiltration/lateral wetting?
Could it reduce surface ponding?
Anyone know of any applied practice of PAM in the drip arena?
Richard Mead
Trickle-L owner/manager
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 12:23:10 +0000 (GMT)
From: "JOS BALENDONCK, IMAG-DLO, PO-BOX 43, 6700 AA WAGENINGEN, The NETHERLANDS, tel:
Subject: Re: Oxygen in Soil
Richard Mead wrote:
>>>>>
Is there anyone out in Trickle-L land that knows
of someone that has done research on O2 levels or O2
diffusion in soil profiles? I understand it uses platinum
electrodes which probably measures redox changes.
<<<<<<
Answer:
Somebody from the Staring Centre DLO in the Netherlands
(Jan Willem Bakker, unfortunately he died some years ago) has done research on
Oxygen diffusion rate. A collegue of mine (dr. Kees Schurer) has some
publications on this topic from a researcher from England.
We ourselves designed an oxygen diffusion rate sensor and
instrument with platinum electrodes.
If you like, I could send you more information on it. We can built one, but
we have a dealer for this instrument called:
Eijkelkamp Agrisearch Equipment bv, PO-box 4, NL 6987 ZG Giesbeek in the
Netherlands. Tel: +31.(08336)31941 and Fax: +31 (08336)32167.
I hope this information is suitable for you.
Regards
Jos Balendonck, IMAG-DLO
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 96 08:17:33 MST
From: tahowell@ag.gov
Subject: Re: Insect Plugging of Drip Lines/Emitters
Trickle-L and Craig Thompson,
Dr. Brian Boman (bjbo@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu) has written several papers
regarding insect inhabitation of drip equipment. I'm forwarding this
message to him in hopes he may respond with some helpful information
or least more fully describe his past and current work in this area.
Terry Howell
On Sun, 28 Jan 1996, trickle-l@unl.edu wrote:
>Contents:
>Insects / larva clogging drip emitters. (LodiCraig@aol.com)
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
-
>
>Date: Sat, 27 Jan 1996 20:16:49 -0500
>From: LodiCraig@aol.com
>Subject: Insects / larva clogging drip emitters.
>
>Hello there:
>
>I have just encountered a minor, but potentially significant (in
>time)problem with some kind of fly or gnat larva in my above ground
>drip emitters. They appear to be laying their eggs in the discharge
>end of the emitters,and the larva work their way into the turbulant
>path and sometimes the hose, thus clogging the emitters with their
>body. They are currently clogging less than ten percent of my
>emitters in a small part of the field, but certainly could become
>worse with time. I will be chlorinating to prevent their spread and>
clear the emitters (hopefully).
>
>Is insect clogging of drip systems documented anywhere? I know of
>one other grower who has identified this problem in his field.
>
>Has anyone else had (or know of) a similiar occurance?
>
>Craig Thompson
>
>
*********************************************************************
* Terry A. Howell, Ph.D., P.E. (806) 356-5746 *
* USDA-ARS (806) 356-5750 (Fax) *
* P.O. Drawer 10 tahowell@ag.gov (E-mail) *
* Bushland, TX 79012 http://www.net.usda.gov/cprl/ (Internet) *
* *
* 1/2 mi. West I-40 South Access Rd. (shipping) *
*********************************************************************
Date: 29 Jan 1996 08:07:17 GMT
From: Philip_Small@efcom.wolfe.net (Philip Small)
Subject: Re: Oxygen in Soil
I work on oxygen replenishment characterization of food processor
sprayfields. I match oxygen-demand loading with 02 diffusion
capacity for permitted discharges. My calculations are based on work
done published by soil scientist Larry King, North Carolina State. Not sure
what
you are looking for, but I have learned a lot about what controls soil O2
levels from Larry's work. He likely knows who has been conducting
current research on O2 diffusion and you may want to track him down.
>From my observations, most crop plant roots (unlike trout <s>) don't "care"
how
much O2 there is available as long as there is some. While it is
conceiveable
that yields of some crops may be effected by marginal O2 levels, the
variation
of soil moisture/soil O2 available to roots under properly managed trickle
should
provide for this concern. OTOH avoiding reduced soil conditions is a very
real concern: I have observed excessive irrigation induced anoxic/reduced
soil
chemistry. I have also seen reduced chemistry induced by extreme rates of
oxygen
demanding soil amendments My advice: your organic soil amendments should be
reasonably resistive to decay and composting first is a good idea.
Microbial and root respiration are the reasons why oxygen is demanded in
soil.
Saturated soils resist the replenishment of soil with atmospheric oxygen.
When the oxygen replenishment rate of soil exceeds the oxygen demand,
anoxic conditions eventually result.
Under newly formed anoxic conditions, soil microbial activity utilizes NO3
for electron acceptors/oxidation. Reduction progresses along a series:
After NO3 is reduced, Mn(III) serves. After Mn(III), Fe(III) is reduced.
Once Fe(III) is reduced to Fe(II), damage to sensitive plants occurs.
Incidently this effect is the major basis of jurisdictional wetland
delineation:
plants that can resist even occasional reduced soil chemistry become dominant
if reduced conditions occur on a regular (say, once every two years) basis.
There is far more Fe in soil then there is O2 or Mn. Soil
scientists consider "reduced" conditions to be those that support the
presence of reduced Fe ( Fe(II)). I use indicator solutions
to detect the onset and persistence of reduced conditions:
either dipyridyl or phenanthroline will work. Platinum electrodes are
overkill for my work. I am available if you need to locate a commercial
source for these field indicators or my protocol for dipyridyl.
Philip Small, RPSS
Land Profile Inc. (and)
The Soils Group Inc.
Yakima, WA
news1!unl.edu!trickle-l,Internet wrote at 9:47 PM on 1/26/96
to Drip Irrigation about "Oxygen in Soil":
-----------------------------
>Is there anyone out in Trickle-L land that knows
>of someone that has done research on O2 levels or O2
>diffusion in soil profiles? I understand it uses platinum
>electrodes which probably measures redox changes.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Richard Mead
>Trickle-L owner/manager
--- OffRoad 1.9e registered to Philip Small
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Tue Jan 30 18:15 EST 1996
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 1996 12:03:38 -0600
Message-Id: <199601301803.AA13265@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 405
Contents:
Re: Manipulating O2 in soil (GroAire@aol.com)
Re: Oxygen in Soil (GroAire@aol.com)
Re: Oxygen in Soil (jeftah benasher <benasher@bgumail.bgu.ac.il>)
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 22:42:17 -0500
From: GroAire@aol.com
Subject: Re: Manipulating O2 in soil
Mr. Anderson in Idaho was one of the first research plots that I conducted
where we had a control plot vs experimental( SDI plus subaeration). I have
actively been researching, engineering, and installing SDI & SA systems since
the mid seventies. Mr. Anderson"s plot broke all production records in
Bonneville county. The potato harvesters did not have the capacity to
extracate the quantity of tubers that were produced in the soil.
In regard to venturi or Mazzei injectors for the addition of atmospheric
air into the soil.
Mixing the air with the water is not the best way to aerate the soil. The
water displaces the air and fills the pore spaces. What quantity of air that
is left is insufficient for the purpose of stimulating the microflora of the
soil. Nyle C. Brady is one Nations best Author on soils. His books are in
most Universities where agronomy is taught. In his texts are pie charts
showing the ideal enviroment for a silt loam soil - mineral matter 45%,
organic matter 5%, water 25%, air 25%. This was a beginning point for me to
start my research and have found a great deal of success by following those
guidelines.
Mr. Brady summers about 5 miles from one of my installations in Southern
Colorado. You can imagine my delight when he repeatedly stopped by during the
course of the summer to view the progress.
The air management programs that i design involve more than manipulating 02
in the soil. Our air is 78% nitrogen and by stimulating the microflora and
bacteria there are a great many benefits derived in that area alone. Also,
many of the pollutants that are in our air are also macro & micro nurtrients
that plants require for growth. The tests that were run at the University of
Nebraska showed incresed levels of Iron, sulphur, copper, & zinc in the flag
leaf of corn as a result of SDI & SA.
I could go on for hours, but not tonight. Anyone interested in literature
or a good conversation may contact me by the following:
Dave Enyeart
GroAire Irrigation
8675 Mariposa Unit 3B
Thornton, Colorado 80221
GroAire@aol.com
303-650-0472 between 6:00pm to 10:00 pm Mountain time
Date: Mon, 29 Jan 1996 22:48:36 -0500
From: GroAire@aol.com
Subject: Re: Oxygen in Soil
If you're really interested in Measuring oxygen in the soil take a look at
ODR meters and ORP meters (Oxygen reduction potential). The measurement of
oxygen in the soil is not the indicator that people should be testing for.
The indicator that I feel is a better measurement is the test for type and
populations of bacteria and fungi in the soil. After all, isn't that what we
are trying to accomplish in the long run?
Dave Enyeart
GroAire Irrigation
GroAire@aol.com
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 1996 10:35:57 +0200 (IST)
From: jeftah benasher <benasher@bgumail.bgu.ac.il>
Subject: Re: Oxygen in Soil
Dear Richard
Please see Silberbush ,Gornat & Goldberg
Plant & soil 1979. All the best Jiftah
On Fri, 26 Jan 1996, Richard Mead wrote:
> Is there anyone out in Trickle-L land that knows
> of someone that has done research on O2 levels or O2
> diffusion in soil profiles? I understand it uses platinum
> electrodes which probably measures redox changes.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Richard Mead
> Trickle-L owner/manager
>
End of Digest
>From root@crcnis1.unl.edu Wed Jan 31 18:15 EST 1996
Date: Wed, 31 Jan 1996 12:03:59 -0600
Message-Id: <199601311803.AA08784@crcnis1.unl.edu>
Subject: TRICKLE-L digest 406
Contents:
Re: TRICKLE-L digest 405 (edmartin@ag.Arizona.EDU)
Re: TRICKLE-L digest 405 (GroAire@aol.com)
RE: TRICKLE-L digest 405 (Manrique Brenes <mjbrenes@ucdavis.edu>)
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 1996 13:56:09 -0700
From: edmartin@ag.Arizona.EDU
Subject: Re: TRICKLE-L digest 405
I need some help on emitter spacing for subsurface drip. Here at the
University of Arizona, we've used Chapin tape with 9" emitter spacing buried
at about 6-8 inches with great success. No one has really done any analyses
on emitter spacing, we just know that the 9" seems to work just fine.
Now, we're starting an experiment where we want to emulate what growers are
doing. However, most growers in the area use drip tape with about an 18"
spacing buried at about 9" (they have 600' runs supplied from both sides -
we're using 300' runs supplied from one side). So, what is the advantage of
using one spacing over another?? It seems to me that the smaller emitter
spacing would give better uniformity??
If anyone has any thoughts, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Thanks,
Ed Martin
Ed Martin
Asst. Specialist, Irrigation
Dept. of Ag. & Biosystems Engr.
University of Arizona
Maricopa Ag. Center
37860 W. Smith-Enke Road
Maricopa AZ 85239
Office: (520) 568-2273 Ext. 244
FAX: (520) 568-2556
E-Mail: edmartin@ag.arizona.edu
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 1996 20:49:32 -0500
From: GroAire@aol.com
Subject: Re: TRICKLE-L digest 405
You have located within your state one of the most progressive drip farmers
in the U.S.
His name is howard Wuertz of Sundance Farms in Coolidge, Arizona. If you
haven't toured his operation, I suggest you make plans in the near future.
You can have different flow rates with ther same emitter spacings such as
high flow or low flow. i.e. low flow 12" = .20 gpm/100" or high flow 12" =
.40 gpm/100'
The decision is based on three things usually although other factors can
alter the final outcome.
1. Soil basic and initial intake rates
2. GPM available
3. area to be irrigated
items 2&3 go hand in hand as the amount of water available dictates how much
area you can cover at one time. This also dictates how many times you can
cycle through zones before you need to get back to the starting point.
Dave Enyeart
GroAire@aol.com
Date: Tue, 30 Jan 1996 21:41:14 -0800
From: Manrique Brenes <mjbrenes@ucdavis.edu>
Subject: RE: TRICKLE-L digest 405
We have had a lot of experience with buried tape (as a matter of fact =
with Chapin also). The following are some of the "ideas" used:
-closer spacings in fact give better "uniformities". This has to be =
well understood and it may be a little distant from the formal concept =
of uniformity. In essence the more emitters the more evenly the water =
and fertilizers are applied, this situation increases as the soil =
texture becomes more sandy and as the volume of water applied per =
irrigation decreases .
-the drawback to this ideas is that closer spacings represent lower =
flowrates per emitter, this in turn means that the manufacuturer of the =
tape is using longer or narrower flowpaths which in turn may increase =
potential plugging problems.=20
My advice would be to go for closer spacings as long as the water =
quality (both chemical and physical properties) and management of the =
system are adequate. If this is not the case go to more distant =
spacings.
----------
From: edmartin@ag.Arizona.EDU[SMTP:edmartin@ag.Arizona.EDU]
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 1996 12:59 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: TRICKLE-L digest 405
I need some help on emitter spacing for subsurface drip. Here at the
University of Arizona, we've used Chapin tape with 9" emitter spacing =
buried
at about 6-8 inches with great success. No one has really done any =
analyses
on emitter spacing, we just know that the 9" seems to work just fine.
Now, we're starting an experiment where we want to emulate what growers =
are
doing. However, most growers in the area use drip tape with about an =
18"
spacing buried at about 9" (they have 600' runs supplied from both sides =
-
we're using 300' runs supplied from one side). So, what is the =
advantage of
using one spacing over another?? It seems to me that the smaller =
emitter
spacing would give better uniformity??=20
If anyone has any thoughts, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Thanks,
Ed Martin
Ed Martin
Asst. Specialist, Irrigation
Dept. of Ag. & Biosystems Engr.
University of Arizona
Maricopa Ag. Center
37860 W. Smith-Enke Road
Maricopa AZ 85239
Office: (520) 568-2273 Ext. 244
FAX: (520) 568-2556
E-Mail: edmartin@ag.arizona.edu
End of Digest
Prepared by Steve Modena, AB4EL
Suggestions and comments to: modena@SunSITE.unc.edu