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Irrigation technology, irrigation dose, and crop genetic impacts on alfalfa yield and quality

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  • Crookston, Bradley S.
  • Boren, Dakota
  • Yost, Matt
  • Sullivan, Tina
  • Creech, Earl
  • Barker, Burdette
  • Reid, Cheyenne

Abstract

In water limited environments, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is often criticized for its high water use, prompting interest in optimizing irrigation technologies, deficit irrigation, and drought-tolerant genetics. However, potential cumulative benefits from combining water-saving strategies have not been previously identified. This study evaluated the independent and combined effects of five irrigation technologies (low-elevation Nelson advantage, low-elevation precision application, low-elevation spray application, mid-elevation spray application, and mobile drip irrigation), four irrigation doses (growers’ typical full dose, a 25 % reduction, and two 50 % reductions, uniform and growth stated-targeted), and two alfalfa varieties (growers’ conventional and drought-tolerant) across three Utah sites from 2020 to 2022. No interaction effects were found among these factors, indicating that stacking multiple water-saving strategies did not enhance yield or forage quality. Low-elevation sprinkler technologies generally outperformed mid-elevation and mobile drip irrigation, though results varied by environment. Deficit irrigation at 25 % reduction often maintained yields similar to growers’ Full irrigation dose, while 50 % reductions consistently decreased yield by 22–54 %. However, deficit irrigation improved forage quality and water use efficiency. Decision tree models revealed that maximizing relative feed value-adjusted water use efficiency primarily depended on matching irrigation dose and technology to site-specific climate demand rather than applying Full irrigation. These findings suggest that moderate deficit irrigation and low-elevation sprinkler technologies can improve forage quality and water resource efficiency without substantial yield loss that occurs with 50 % deficit irrigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Crookston, Bradley S. & Boren, Dakota & Yost, Matt & Sullivan, Tina & Creech, Earl & Barker, Burdette & Reid, Cheyenne, 2025. "Irrigation technology, irrigation dose, and crop genetic impacts on alfalfa yield and quality," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:311:y:2025:i:c:s0378377425000800
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109366
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jan M. Sitterson & Allan A. Andales & Daniel F. Mooney & Maria Cristina Capurro & Joe E. Brummer, 2023. "Developing a Crop Water Production Function for Alfalfa under Deficit Irrigation: A Case Study in Eastern Colorado," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-17, April.
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    5. Hanson, Blaine & Putnam, Dan & Snyder, Richard, 2007. "Deficit irrigation of alfalfa as a strategy for providing water for water-short areas," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 93(1-2), pages 73-80, October.
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