Texas A&M AgriLife study to track irrigation methods, timing on tomatoes
Agriculture producers in the Texas High Plains could potentially diversify their operations by growing specialty crops and get higher returns for their water – without having to replace their irrigation systems.
With a declining water table in mind, Texas A&M AgriLife, U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service and three industry partners will investigate the potential of producing high quality vegetables under irrigation for fresh market sales.
The research will include the use of mobile drip irrigation, MDI, integrated with a patented, computerized irrigation scheduling system that uses plant and soil water sensing and weather feedback. The system is called Irrigation Scheduling and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, or ISSCADA.