Files
Abstract
With the increment in population and demand for foods and fibers, the available resource, such as water is facing the big challenge of scarcity. In agriculture, growers use irrigation to minimize the risks associated with production variability, which puts further pressure on water availability. The scientific world has been focused on developing modern irrigation scheduling techniques, which can increase water use efficiency, at the same time, enhance the production, and save the water. However, the adoption of new technologies is low among growers because they are unbeknownst of the economic return and risk associated with these new technologies. This study evaluated the economic efficiency of several modern irrigation scheduling methods in cotton production, and conducted risk analysis of two major irrigation schedules, which are the UGA checkbook method and the smart irrigation cotton app. Results from both analyses show that modern irrigation schedules are more economically efficient than conventional calendar-based irrigation scheduling methods.