Seepage vs. Center Pivot for Snap Bean Production in Florida Yuqi Cui, G. David Liu, Lincoln Zotarelli, Crystal A. Snodgrass, and Alan Jones UF-IFAS, Gainesville, FL 32611 Manatee County Extension, IFAS, Palmetto, FL 34221, and Jones Potato Farm, Parrish, FL 34219 INTRODUCTION RESULTS Snap Bean Yield & Quality MATERIALS & METHODS Water Usage Seepage irrigation is the predominant irrigation for snap bean production in Florida, but poses problems for water conservation and quality. Overhead irrigation has significantly greater water-use efficiency than seepage irrigation, and can be used in snap bean production. Objective: to explore the feasibility of converting seepage to central pivot irrigation for commercial snap bean production in southwest Florida. Flow meter Center pivot irrigation systems can save over 50% of water compared to seepage irrigation. A more suitable fertilization program is required. CONCLUSIONS 2014-2015 Growing Season N Level in Soil at Harvest Water Level Field Measurements Level logger Rain gauge Irrigation Variety Area (ha) Planting Date Harvest Date Seepage Caprice 4 2/18/2014 4/16/2014 Center pivot Caprice 69 2/2/2014 4/8/2014 Seepage irrigation was 0.1-0.2 m higher than center pivot irrigation in water table. Soil Moisture Biomass at Harvest Soil moisture contents in the root-zone (top 12 inches) were greater for center pivot irrigation than for seepage irrigation. No significant differences in NO 3 -N concentrations in the surface soil were observed between the seepage and center pivot plots at harvest (P>0.05). Seepage Center pivot Data logger SPAD meter ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS At harvest, plants in seepage plots showed significantly higher dry weight of stems and leaves compared to that in center pivot irrigation plots (P<0.05). Seepage irrigation showed significantly greater yield and Length/Diameter ratio (P<0.05). The irrigation water usage for seepage plots was 57% more than center pivot plots. 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 Seepage Center pivot KCl extractable NO 3 -N(mg/kg) Treatment Seepage Center pivot 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Seepage Center pivot Dry weight (g)/plant Treatment stems leaves pods a a b b 0 5 10 15 20 Seepage Center pivot Length/Diameter Treatment a b 0 40 80 120 160 200 240 Seepage Center pivot Yield (kg/ha) Treatment a b 110 22 25 149 149 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 Seepage Center pivot Overall water usage (mm) Treatment rainfall pivot seepage 11% 13% 76% -1.2 -1.0 -0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0.0 2/25 3/2 3/7 3/12 3/17 3/22 3/27 4/1 4/6 4/11 4/16 water level (m) Date Seepage Center pviot 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45 2/25 3/4 3/11 3/18 3/25 4/1 4/8 Volumetric moisture content (m3/m3) Date 80 cm 50 cm 30 cm 20 cm 10 cm 0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.40 0.45 2/25 3/4 3/11 3/18 3/25 4/1 4/8 4/15 Volumetric moisture content (m3/m3) Date This research was financially supported by Southwest Florida Water Management District (13C00000017). We thank Mr. David Fleming and Mr. Jesse Cavillo for helping with the research. Seepage Center Pivot