Time to Initiate Irrigation

Farmer’s soybeans will soon be at the critical reproductive stage, where a soybean crop can use a quarter inch of water per day. According to Mississippi State Irrigation Specialist Jason Krutz, irrigation should begin at a pre-determined soil moisture threshold, regardless of growth stage. This threshold is best determined by soil moisture sensors that are placed at appropriated depths according to soil texture to ensure you don’t lose yield to drought stress during the critical R3 through R6 growth stages.

Farmers can increase furrow irrigation efficiency through the use of PHAUCET/PipePlanner computer programs. These programs helps farmers determine the best hole sizes to punch along the length of a polypipe irrigation set. The tool calculates these hole sizes based on pressure changes along the tubing, pipe diameter, the different row lengths along the polypipe set, and the elevation changes along the field where the poly-tubing is located.

For all your irrigation initiation questions, MSPB and MSU created a direct mail piece. This direct mailer provides a summary of significant management practices that can help Mississippi farmers be more successful in their soybean-growing and irrigation operation. The highlighted practices are proven to contribute to higher yields in both research environments and producers’ fields. Click here to view this document.