Field Research Report: Results from the ENREEC VRI Field for the 2021, 2022, and 2023 Crop Seasons

Authors

Derek M. Heeren, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ali T. Mohammed, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Eric Wilkening, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Christopher M. U. Neale, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Alan L. Boldt, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ankit Chandra, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Precious Nneka Amori, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ivo Z. Goncalves, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Yeyin Shi, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Guillermo R. Balboa, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Heeren 0000-0002-0222-5516

Mohammed 0000-0003-2552-1155

Neale 0000-0002-7199-6410

Amori 0000-0001-8104-0394

Goncalves 0000-0002-8070-9292

Balboa 0000-0003-3819-5088

Date of this Version

3-2024

Citation

Technical report submitted to the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center, 2024

Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Comments

Open access material

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

Long-term irrigation management research has been conducted from 2014 to 2023 for corn and soybean at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension, and Education Center (ENREEC) Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) Field located in subhumid east-central Nebraska (in the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District). The objective of this report was to present the overall results from the VRI Field for 2021 to 2023. Across the three growing seasons, there were the following irrigation treatments: Best Management Practice (BMP), 50% BMP, 125% BMP, rainfed, Spatial ET Modeling Interface (SETMI), SDD1, SDD2, machine-learning-based Cyber-Physical System (CPS), a student team recommended rate, and industry trials from Irriga Global’s Aluvio. Results showed that from 2021 to 2023, only 2022 was dry enough to have a significant yield response to irrigation in both corn and soybean. The distribution of precipitation in 2023 resulted in a significant difference in yield for corn but not soybean. Over 9 years of corn production, the mean seasonal irrigation was 4.4 in (for full irrigation treatments), corresponding to a mean yield of 246 bu/ac compared to a mean rainfed yield of 227 bu/ac. For 8 years of soybean research, the average seasonal irrigation was 4.0 in; the mean irrigated soybean yield was 70 bu/ac compared to 66 bu/ac for rainfed plots. The long-term average increase in gross revenue (from irrigation) was 104 $/ac/yr for corn and 46 $/ac/yr for soybean.