Title:
Devils Lake Basin Water Utilization Test Project.
Abstract:
Above-average rainfall since 1993 has led to rising water levels in Devils Lake and other surface waters in the surrounding basin in northeastern North Dakota. The basin is considered a normally closed system, though records indicate it has naturally overflowed to Stump Lake, the Sheyenne River, and the Red River of the North. Flood damage has been extensive since 1993 and has affected agriculture, homes, businesses, roads, etc. An outlet from Devils Lake is currently under construction by the North Dakota State Water Commission and is scheduled to begin operation in the summer of 2005. A parallel solution under consideration is the development of new irrigation areas to utilize excess surface waters in the basin. Currently the irrigation component is in the test phase to determine its effectiveness and sustainability. The effectiveness of potential irrigation development will be assessed by the additional evapotranspiration (ET) achievable under irrigation compared with non irrigated agriculture in the basin. Remote sensing methods for ET are expected to be the only viable way to achieve basin-wide estimates of the water utilization—or flood mitigation effectiveness—that may be possible if irrigation development is pursued further. The sustainability of potential irrigation development will be assessed by soil and water compatibility investigations, which are critical because many of the soils in the basin are considered only conditionally irrigable.
Details:
Project Details
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Title:
Furrows Vs Hill Planting of Irrigated Potatoes.
Abstract:
Three years (2001-2003) of replicated plot studies at Dawson and Tappen, ND using a single plant population (in-row seed spacing) and a single nitrogen fertility rate have shown that compared with hill planting, potatoes planted in furrows produced 24% larger average tuber size (6.62 vs. 5.33 oz., based on weighing individual tubers), and averages of 40% more yield in the 6 oz. and larger tuber size category (281 vs. 201 cwt/ac), 17% more yield in the 4 oz. and larger category (354 vs. 302 cwt/ac), and 10% more total yield (412 vs. 374 cwt/ac; the total yield value was not statistically significant). Results from 2001-2003 plot studies at Oakes have generally been more even between furrows and hills, but under significant disease pressures. There have been essentially no differences in tuber quality between the furrow and hill planting techniques. Results from 2003 testing for the sugar end defect are not yet available.
Details: Project Details |
