Sustainable Practices in Water Management. Environmental Sensitivity Water Improvement &...

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CALIFORNIA COTTON Sustainable Practices in Water Management

Transcript of Sustainable Practices in Water Management. Environmental Sensitivity Water Improvement &...

Page 1: Sustainable Practices in Water Management. Environmental Sensitivity Water Improvement & Conservation Energy Development & Conservation Crop Protection.

CALIFORNIA COTTONSustainable Practices in Water Management

Page 2: Sustainable Practices in Water Management. Environmental Sensitivity Water Improvement & Conservation Energy Development & Conservation Crop Protection.

SUSTAINABILITY

Econ

omic

Impr

ovem

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Com

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Supp

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Envi

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Sens

itiv

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SUSTAINABILITY – BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Page 3: Sustainable Practices in Water Management. Environmental Sensitivity Water Improvement & Conservation Energy Development & Conservation Crop Protection.

SUSTAINABILITY – BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Environmental Sensitivity

Water Improvement & Conserv

ation

Energy Development & Conservation

Crop Protection Materials Efficiencies

Soil Enrichm

ent & Conserv

ation

Environmental Sensitivity

Page 4: Sustainable Practices in Water Management. Environmental Sensitivity Water Improvement & Conservation Energy Development & Conservation Crop Protection.

CALIFORNIA WATER DEVELOPMENT HISTORY•Tribal water use

•Spanish missionaries•Channeling seasonal river flows

•Early California Water Developers Miller and Haggin•Agricultural Development•Flood Control – Disease Control – Urban Security•Miller - Haggin Agreement•Dual system of water rights confirmed by California State Supreme Court April, 26, 1886•Appropriation vs. Riparian (in English Common Law)

•Ground water extraction• Centrifugal Pump Introduction – water wells (Early

1900’s)•Government authorized systems

•Moving water away from natural watercourses

Page 5: Sustainable Practices in Water Management. Environmental Sensitivity Water Improvement & Conservation Energy Development & Conservation Crop Protection.

IRRIGATION SOURCES

10%10%

10%

30%

40%

California Water Sources

Natural River FlowsState Water ProjectColorado RiverCentral Valley ProjectUnderground Pumping

Page 6: Sustainable Practices in Water Management. Environmental Sensitivity Water Improvement & Conservation Energy Development & Conservation Crop Protection.

IRRIGATION METHODS

40%

31%

29%

Application Method

GravitySprinklerDrip / Micro

Page 7: Sustainable Practices in Water Management. Environmental Sensitivity Water Improvement & Conservation Energy Development & Conservation Crop Protection.

IRRIGATION METHODS

59%

10%

29%

Cotton Application Method

GravitySprinklerDrip / Micro

Page 8: Sustainable Practices in Water Management. Environmental Sensitivity Water Improvement & Conservation Energy Development & Conservation Crop Protection.

REDUCING AG DEMAND FOR WATER SUPPLIES

(PRODUCING MORE WITH LESS)

1930 1950 1980 20100

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

Yield (bales/ac)Applied Water (feet/acre)

California Cotton Yields and Water Use History

Page 9: Sustainable Practices in Water Management. Environmental Sensitivity Water Improvement & Conservation Energy Development & Conservation Crop Protection.

REDUCING AG DEMAND FOR WATER SUPPLIES

•Regulating Plant Growth•Mepiquat Chloride use in cotton•Reduction of Fertilizer•Regulated Deficit Irrigation

•Advanced Genetic Modification•Reduction of Pesticides – in harmony with IPM practices

•Technology for more precise mgmt•Laser leveling, GPS and variable rate apps•Drip irrigation systems•More time-sensitive technologies•Enabling technologies

Page 10: Sustainable Practices in Water Management. Environmental Sensitivity Water Improvement & Conservation Energy Development & Conservation Crop Protection.

SUSTAINABLE CALIFORNIA COTTON

Final Thoughts about California Cotton

• California’s SJV Cotton is unique

• Vastly Different Water Rights

• Leader in Adoption of Sustainable BMP’s

• Significant Contributor to Agricultural Diversity