2004-05 Deliverables
Task 4 Research
Principal Investigator(s): Shad Nelson
- Continue the development of water conservation strategies for South Texas citrus production using flood, micro-spray and drip irrigation systems. Harvest for the 2nd year's cropping cycle will occur in December 2004 and results will be compared against 1st year's harvest results from December 2003 and available March 2005.
- Apply annual N and P fertilization treatments in combination with irrigation and compost applications to citrus trees to determine the fertility and irrigation requirements for citrus production under varying management strategies.
- Install real-time soil moisture sensors (donated by the Environmental Protection Agency) and monitor water-use efficiency over the growing season.
- Calculate amount of water saved under the different irrigation systems.
- Provide cost effectiveness data associated with these water management systems to stakeholders, extension agents, and scientific community through presentations and publications through association with the Journal of the Rio Grande Valley Horticultural Society.
- Present findings at 2nd Annual TAMUS Pathways to the Doctorate Symposium, Oct. 16-17, 2004, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, TX.
- Present results at Rio Grande Basin Initiative Conference to be held within April, 2005.