​​Selection and Use of Sensors for Cotton Irrigation Management in Humid Regions

April 2016 | 32 min., 43 sec.
by Brian G. Leib
The University of Tennessee

Summary

​Proper management of cotton irrigation is essential for obtaining optimal lint yields and for preserving limited water resources. This presentation will help consultants, county agents, growers, and other practitioners in the Southern U.S. cotton-producing states to understand how to use soil moisture sensors for managing irrigation in cotton production. Specifically in this presentation, practitioners will learn: how to select a sensor system, select the sensor site(s) in a field, position sensors in the soil profile and interpret sensor readings. By the end of this presentation, the practitioner should know more about how to employ soil moisture sensors to achieve optimal irrigated cotton yields with a minimum amount of water.

About the Presenter

Brian G. LeibBrian G. Leib an Agricultural & Biological Systems Engineer, has been working in research and extension of irrigated agriculture for nearly 30 years. He has performed irrigation research projects in many crops: alfalfa, small grains, cantaloupe, apples, cherries, peaches, wine grapes, mint, tobacco, forage grasses, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cotton, and soybeans. These projects have been conducted in a variety of climates spanning arid and humid regions using many different types of irrigation systems including surface, sprinkler, and drip irrigation. He has also worked to improve water management through developing irrigation scheduling software, testing soil water sensors, establishing weather data networks, improving irrigation systems to control salinity, implementing deficit irrigation strategies, reducing erosion from furrow irrigation, and capturing rain water for utilization in high tunnel irrigation. He received his BS and PhD degrees from The Pennsylvania State University in Soil & Water Engineering and also an MS from Colorado State University in Irrigation Engineering. He has been a faculty member at Colorado State University and Washington State University. He is presently an Associate Professor in the Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science Department at the University of Tennessee.​​

Contact Information:
Email: bleib@utk.edu

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