Assessing irrigation BMP for water conservation - Land leveling

In 2001, the Arizona Department of Water Resources implemented an agricultural Best Management Practice (BMP program). The program was designed to encourage the use of BMP in irrigation with goal of increasing efficient use of water resources on the farm. Several BMP were identified through stakeholder meetings and meeting with researchers and scientists. One of the BMPs identified was annual laser touchup to maintain a level field slope. This study was designed to determine the impact of yearly laser leveling on irrigation water applications and yield. There were two treatments, no laser leveling and laser leveled. There were no significant differences due to leveling for yield in any of the three years. Lint yield for no laser leveling and laser leveled treatments was 2010 and 1990 kg/ha (1795 and 1777 lb/ac) in 2006, 1780 and 1829 kg/ha (1589 and 1633 lb/ac) in 2007, and 1564 and 1687 kg/ha (1397 and 1507 lb/ac) in 2008 respectively. The amount of water irrigated was 167.6 cm (66 inches) for no laser leveled vs. 154.9 cm (61 inches) for laser leveled in 2007, and 226.1 and 154.9 cm (89 and 61 inches) in 2008.