2018 ASHS Annual Conference

Human needs for nutrition and income in climatic uncertainty provide strong incentives for us to seek solutions to agriculture and community problems. The creation and adoption of innovative changes can result in the smart use of water, soil, and nutrients. Irrigation innovations are continually being created by scientists, agricultural industries, and growers. Irrigation efficiency is increased through more efficient systems and components, closer matching of irrigation to crop species needs, and better knowledge of each crop’s physiology to understand the amounts of water stress tolerated in various phases of crop development. New options are creatively imagined to provide feasible solutions compatible with local production methods. These options must be winnowed with realistic field tests pertinent to local constraints. Examples of changes in irrigation systems, irrigation scheduling, crop physiology applications, and more efficient nutrient management will be presented.