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Developing a Crop Water Production Function for Alfalfa under Deficit Irrigation: A Case Study in Eastern Colorado

Author

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  • Jan M. Sitterson

    (Department of Soil and Crop Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
    This research work is part of the Master thesis of Jan M. Sitterson.)

  • Allan A. Andales

    (Department of Soil and Crop Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Daniel F. Mooney

    (Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Maria Cristina Capurro

    (Department of Soil and Crop Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

  • Joe E. Brummer

    (Department of Soil and Crop Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA)

Abstract

Recent Colorado, USA water law provisions allow a portion of irrigation water to be leased between agricultural and other users. Reducing consumptive use (CU) through deficit irrigation while maintaining some crop production could allow farmers to earn revenue from leasing water rights. This observational study aimed to determine if deficit irrigation of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) can be used to reduce CU, provide parameters for an alfalfa crop water production function (WPF), and evaluate the potential for improved farm income by leasing water. Soil water balance, evapotranspiration (ET), and dry matter yield from eight commercial fields (1.70 to 2.14 ha zones), growing subsurface drip-irrigated alfalfa, were monitored for five seasons (2018–2022) at Kersey, Colorado. Four irrigation treatments [Standard Irrigation (SI) = irrigate when soil water deficit (D) exceeds management allowed depletion (MAD); Moderate Deficit Irrigation (MDI) = 70% of SI; Severe Deficit Irrigation (SDI) = 50% of SI; and Over Irrigation (OI) = 120% of SI] were applied, with two zones per treatment. Reductions in CU ranged from 205 to 260 mm per season. The shape of the alfalfa WPF (dry biomass yield vs. ET) was concave, indicating that water use efficiency (WUE) could be optimized through deficit irrigation. The average WUE was 0.17 Mg ha −1 cm −1 and tended to increase with greater deficits. Deficit irrigation also increased the relative feed value. If conserved CU from deficit irrigation can be leased into a transfer water market, farmers could profit when the water lease revenue exceeds the forgone profit from alfalfa production. We found incremental profit from deficit irrigation and water leasing to be positive, assuming 2020 prices for hay ($230 bale −1 ) and water prices above $0.50 m −3 .

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:4:p:831-:d:1116009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liu, Minguo & Wu, Xiaojuan & Yang, Huimin, 2022. "Evapotranspiration characteristics and soil water balance of alfalfa grasslands under regulated deficit irrigation in the inland arid area of Midwestern China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    2. Ali, M.H. & Hoque, M.R. & Hassan, A.A. & Khair, A., 2007. "Effects of deficit irrigation on yield, water productivity, and economic returns of wheat," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 92(3), pages 151-161, September.
    3. 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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    1. 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).

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