Computer Analysis of Soybean Irrigation Management Strategies
ABSTRACT Asoybean {Glycine max (L.( Merr.) crop growth simulation model (SOYGRO) was modified and used to develop irrigation management strategies for a center pivot irrigation system on sandy soil in the Southeast Coastal Plain region of the U.S. The irrigation strategies included threshold and refill levels which were percentages of maximum available soil water and were based on the crop phenology. A growth phase-dependent (GPD) strategy was developed. It delivered a higher average simulated economic return than the constant threshold-refill level strategies. The GPD strategy was modified to incorporate preset amounts of irrigation as a function of crop maturity in order to facilitate its use by producers. This GPD strategy delivered an average net return of 8% less than the return delivered by the GPD strategy utilizing refill levels.