Education Commons^™

Nf94-178 Nebraska Surge Irrigation Trials, C. Dean Yonts, Joel E. Cahoon, Dean E. Eisenhauer, Kelly Wertz

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses the Nebraska Surge Irrigation Trials.

Nf94-176 Surge Irrigation, C. Dean Yonts, Joel E. Cahoon, Dean E. Eisenhauer, Kelly Wertz

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses surge irrigation.

G94-1221 Checking The Performance Of Your Landscape Irrigation System, Don Steinegger, Roch E. Gaussoin, Delynn Hay

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide outlines methods to assess and improve landscape irrigation performance. A properly designed and functioning irrigation system can save water, improve plant appearance, and reduce non-point source pollution. An irrigation system also must apply water uniformly, at a rate that the soil can absorb, and the proper amount to meet the water needs of the landscape plants. Runoff can result when an improperly functioning system applies water faster than the soil can absorb it. This runoff can carry applied fertilizer, such as nitrogen, as well as some pesticides into the streets and eventually into storm drains. Another concern is …

G93-1191 Glossary Of Water-Related Terms, William L. Kranz, Delynn Hay, James W. Goeke, David Gosselin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide is a glossary of water quantity, quality and human health related terms involving water. Terms are defined in contexts that could affect Nebraskans. We depend upon water for our very existence. The impact of water quality and quantity issues has never been greater. Yet the terminology used to describe the water we drink, the water we provide to plants and animals, the water stored underground, in lakes, rivers, and oceans, is not well understood by many Nebraskans. This listing of water-related terms is intended to reduce the potential for misunderstanding presentations made by elected officials, environmental agencies and …

Nf93-140 Water Management For Irrigation In Nebraska, Norman L. Klocke, Joel E. Cahoon, Dean E. Eisenhauer, Delynn R. Hay, Glenn J. Hoffman, William L. Kranz, Derrel L. Martin, Darrell Watts, C. Dean Yonts

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses water management for irrigation.

G93-1181 Evaluating Your Landscape Irrigation System, Don Steinegger, Roch E. Gaussoin, Garald L. Horse

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide addresses irrigation techniques and methods that can improve water usage.

In the summer months, most water used in residential areas is applied to landscapes. By learning how much water to apply to your landscape and when to apply it, you simultaneously support four landscape irrigation goals: reducing costs, conserving water, reducing non-point pollution (contamination from a broad geographical area such as fertilizer, run off from urban landscapes), and maintaining an attractive landscape.

G93-1157 Testing Irrigation Water, Delynn Hay, K.D. Frank

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide explains some of the reasons irrigation water should be tested and provides guidelines for collecting and submitting water samples. All irrigation water contains essential plant nutrients. These nutrients are free bonuses from a crop production standpoint. However, some nutrients can be present in amounts that will be toxic or damaging to crop growth. The nutrient content of Nebraska irrigation water can be highly variable from one location to another. The purpose of this guide is to provide guidelines for collecting and submitting irrigation water samples to laboratories for analysis. Reasons for having irrigation water tested are discussed. The …

G93-1154 Crop Residue And Irrigation Water Management, Joel Cahoon, Norman Klocke, William L. Kranz

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Crop residue cover and tillage practices play important roles in the way that crops use water, and also affect the ability of irrigation systems to replace that water. The effects of these practices and other influencing factors are discussed in this NebGuide. Tillage practices and crop residue management play an important role in the way that irrigation systems perform and are managed. Tillage practices affect the way that water moves into and off of the soil (infiltration and runoff). Tillage practices also affect the way that water moves from the soil into the atmosphere (evapotranspiration).

Ec92-736 Safety With Center Pivot Irrigation, Rollin D. Schnieder

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Center pivot irrigation has proven to be an effective and low labor method of applying water and agricultural chemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides, to cropland. It is a young industry in terms of use. Consequently, manufacturers and users of the equipment have an opportunity keep it a safe method of water application. This publication gives pointers on how to use your center pivot irrigation system.

G92-1099 Estimating Effective Rainfall, Joel E. Cahoon, C. Dean Yonts, Steven R. Melvin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

How irrigators can estimate effective rainfall, and use that estimate to schedule irrigations properly. Scheduling irrigation based on crop demand (see NebGuide G85-753 Irrigation Scheduling Using Crop Water Use Data, on the checkbook method) requires an estimate of effective precipitation or rainfall. Effective rainfall estimates are also important for planning cropping sequences in both dryland and irrigationd crop production. Effective rainfall is the amount of rainfall stored in the crop root zone. Rainfall that runs off the soil surface or passes through the root zone does not contribute to crop growth and yield. There are two steps to estimating effective …

G92-1084 Culture Of Cole Crops, Laurie Hodges, R.E. Neild

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

How to grow successfully broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi.

Cole crops, which include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kohlrabi, can be successfully grown on most soils if drainage is good and the crop is supplied with adequate water and nutrients, particularly nitrogen. Light-textured soils usually produce earlier crops but heavier soils hold more moisture and tend to produce crops that hold quality longer at maturity.

Cole crops have shallow root systems. Inadequate moisture may cause small cauliflower heads to form prematurely. Rainfall or irrigation following a prolonged dry spell may cause splitting of cabbage and kohlrabi. Supplemental …

G92-1124 Converting Center Pivot Sprinkler Packages: System Considerations, Joel E. Cahoon, Norman Klocke, William L. Kranz

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide points out some of the system-oriented factors that should be considered when changing sprinkler packages on a center pivot irrigation system. Irrigators using existing center pivots may be interested in changing sprinkler packages for a number of reasons: to take advantage of new sprinkler technology, to overcome a poor design on the original package, to reduce energy requirements, or simply to replace worn sprinklers on an older machine.

G92-1081 Factors That Affect Soil-Applied Herbicides, R. S. Moomaw, Robert N. Klein, Alex Martin, Fred Roeth, P.J. Shea, G.A. Wicks, R. G. Wilson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Characteristics of soil-applied herbicides are discussed, including site of uptake by weeds, solubility, adsorption, persistence, leaching potential, photodecomposition, and volatility. For best performance, preemergence and preplant herbicides must be placed in the top 0 to 3 inches of soil. Placement is important because the herbicide must enter the germinating weed seedling in order to kill it. Herbicides can be blended into the soil by mechanical incorporation, rainfall, or sprinkler irrigation, depending on the herbicide. Herbicide characteristics that determine their performance are site of uptake by weeds, solubility, adsorption, persistence, leaching potential, photodecomposition, and volatility. An understanding of these factors will …

G91-1061 Conserving Water In The Landscape, Don Steinegger, Frederick P. Baxendale, Garald L. Horse, Dale T. Lindgren

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Conserve water in a landscape by following a prescribed sequence in designing and managing the site.

Beauty and utility traditionally have been the purposes of home landscapes. Because water -- in both quality and quantity -- is becoming a limited resource, conservation has become a third goal. The homeowner can achieve all three by using careful, comprehensive planning.

You can reduce water consumption by 40-80 percent by following an appropriate sequence in designing and managing your site.

Ec91-735 The Impact Of Nitrogen And Irrigation Management And Vadose Zone Conditions On Ground Water Contamination By Nitrate-Nitrogen, K.D. Frank, Darrell Watts, Andrew Christiansen, Edwin Penas

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The single largest contaminant found in ground water samples taken throughout Nebraska is nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate-N). Much of it reaches the ground water as a "non-point source" contaminant leached out of the crop root zone.

Nitrate-N is essential to corn production. However, when leached from the crop root zone it can become a major source of ground water contamination. There are serious contamination problems in shallow aquifers beneath several river valleys in Nebraska. Increasing nitrate-N concentrations are beginning to appear in deeper aquifer.

Nf91-39 Precipitation And Sprinkler Irrigation Monitoring For Managing Irrigation Scheduling, Steve Meyer, Kenneth Hubbard

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact discusses precipitation and sprinkler irrigation monitoring for managing irrigation scheduling.

G91-1043 Water Runoff Control Practices For Sprinkler Irrigation Systems, William L. Kranz, David P. Shelton, Elbert C. Dickey, John A. Smith

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes techniques to help reduce water runoff from fields irrigationd with sprinkler irrigation systems.

Water runoff is often a problem associated with sprinkler irrigation systems operated on sloping terrain. Soil particles, fertilizers and pesticides can become part of runoff waters and can be moved from their target locations, causing degradation of surface water quality.

Other potential problems associated with runoff include a lack of soil moisture in localized areas of the field, crop nutrient deficiencies, washed-out seeds or plants, and increased irrigation water pumping costs.

Ec90-2502 Perspectives On Nitrates, Gary W. Hergert, Richard A. Wiese, Delynn Hay, William A. Lee, Ann Ziebarth, Richard B. Davis, Constance Kies, Carolyn Bednar, Norman Schneider, Alex Hogg, Robert A. Britton, J. David Aiken

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The potential adverse consequences of nitrate on both human and animal health has long been recognized. This extension circular is comprised of six papers that include:

• Nitrogen in our Environment
• Alternatives When Excessive Nitrate is Present in Drinking Water
• Nitrates, Nutrites and Methemoglobinemia
• Nitrates, Nutrities, N-Nitroso Compounds and Nutrition
• Excessive Nitrate/Nitrite Exposure: Nitrate Poisoning and Related Animal Health Effects
• Nitrates and Ground Water Quality Protection Policies

G90-1005 Fruit Tree Cultivars For Nebraska (Revised September 1997), William A. Gustafson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Proper fruit cultivar (variety) selection is important for successful and satisfying results from the home gardener's efforts. Selection should be based on family preferences, available space and intended use of the fruits. Harvest can be spread over several weeks if cultivars with different periods of maturity are planted.

It is important that homeowners select the kinds of fruit plants or cultivars that are best adapted for cultivation in their area of the state. They must have adequate hardiness to survive the winter, heat and drought tolerance to thrive in the summer, and the ability to survive spring frosts.

G90-964 How Soil Holds Water, Norman L. Klocke, Gary W. Hergert

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes the physical characteristics that influence how soil holds water.

Dryland and irrigationd agriculture depend on the management of two basic natural resources, soil and water. Soil is the supporting structure of plant life and water is essential to sustain plant life. The wise use of these resources requires a basic understanding of soil and water as well as the crop.

The available water capacity and characteristics of soils are critical to water management planning for irrigationd and dryland crops. The management decisions of what crops to plant, plant populations, when to irrigation, how much to irrigation, when …

G90-993 Basic Cultural Practices For Commercial Production Of Green (Snap) Beans, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses cultivar selection, production, pest management and packing of commercial green beans.

Cultivars

Selection of cultivars depends on intended use or market. "Processor" cultivars are low in fiber and are best for home garden and roadside markets as well as processing. These include the various Bush Blue Lake selections (BBL 47, BBL 92, BBL 274) and others such as Early Gallatin, Eagle, Slenderwhite, Labrador, Flo, and Peak. The "fresh market" or "shipping" beans have high fiber to maintain quality during long distance shipping. These include Strike, Podsquad, Blazer, Triumph, Atlantic, Gatorgreen, Greencrop, Sprite, and many others. Cultivars with …

Ec89-723 Irrigation Scheduling Using Soil Moisture Blocks In Silty Soils, William L. Kranz, Dean E. Eisenhauer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Irrigation takes some risk out of crop production by providing a reliable source of water that allows the producer to manage soil water. Monitoring soil water is fundamental to determining how much irrigation water should be applied, and when the soil is able to store the amount of water to be applied.

This publication describes how to use soil mositure blocks to schedule irrigations in fine textured soils.

G89-932 Minimum Center Pivot Design Capacities In Nebraska, William L. Kranz, Derrel L. Martin, Greg Lackas

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Factors to consider in choosing an appropriate center pivot design are covered here. Irrigators investing in a center pivot irrigation system need to consider this important question: How much supplemental water is required by the crop? Irrigation system capacity needed to meet crop requirements is defined in units of gallons per minute (GPM) or gallons per minute per acre (GPM/AC). If the system capacity is too low, crop stress occurs during some portion of the growing season. If the capacity is too high, surface runoff may result, or capital investment for the pumping plant and center pivot may be greater …

Ec88-729 Irrigation Pumping Plant Alternatives, Richard T. Clark, Norman L. Klocke

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Irrigation pumping costs depend on the requirements of the individual pumping plant. Energy use is the major component of pump operating costs. Pumping efficiency, pumping lift, water pressure and the amount of water delivered all influence the energy required to operate the pumping plant.

This extension circular contains information for irrigators on how to use a computerized spreadsheet developed in 1988 to calculate irrigation pumping costs and savings.

G84-686 Irrigating Dry Beans (Revised September 1984), C. Dean Yonts, David S. Nuland

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide describes furrow and center pivot irrigation techniques and practices that will be helpful to both new and experienced dry bean growers.

Traditionally, dry bean production in Nebraska has been on irrigationd lands in the North Platte River Valley of the Panhandle. However, production acreage is expanding into new areas, north, south, and east from the North Platte Valley.

G83-659 Irrigating Onions, C. Dean Yonts, David Nuland, Paul Fischbach

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide outlines the onion's water requirements as it develops through the season and how to best meet them to assure marketable grade and optimum yield.

Growing an irrigationd crop of onions is a very involved process. This is because the onion is a shallow rooted biennial that depends on daylength and temperature for the development of the marketable product—the bulb.

G82-618 Grapes: Cultivars, Training And Pruning, Don Steinegger

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Planting and caring for grapes both are covered here.

Grapes have long been a favorite fruit of the home gardener. The earliest settlers in the New World found wild grapes thriving along streams and in timbered areas. These were mostly of the species Vites labrusca and V. riparia, while the wine and dessert grapes of the Old World are V. vinifera.

G82-602 Predicting The Last Irrigation For Corn, Grain Sorghum And Soybeans (Revised August 1991), Norman L. Klocke, Dean E. Eisenhauer, Terry L. Bockstadter

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide presents criteria and "rules of thumb" for predicting the last irrigation for corn, grain sorghum and soybeans.

Determining when to apply the last irrigation of the season is an important water management decision. One extra irrigation may mean wasting an additional one to three inches of water and two to five gallons of diesel fuel per acre. On the other hand, applying that one extra irrigation could mean several bushels per acre in crop yield.

Ec81-760 How To Adjust Vertical Turbine Pumps For Maximum Efficiency, Thomas W. Dorn, Mark A. Schroeder, Paul E. Fischbach

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The Agricultural Engineering Department has tested more than 500 pumping plants in the past 25 years. The average performance indicates that about 30 percent of the energy used for irrigation could be saved if all pumping plants operated at the Nebraska Performance Criteria.

There were many causes for poor pumping plant performance. Major causes were poor power unit performance, and poor pump performance often caused by improper pump adjustment.

This circular discusses proper pump adjustment to attain maximum efficiency.

Ec81-1240 Vegetable Gardening In Nebraska, Dale T. Lindgren, Laurie Hodges, Don Steinegger, Ralph E. Neild

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nebraskans are increasing their consumption of fresh vegetables — as appetizers, salads, side dishes, and snacks. Fresh vegetables are an integral part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. Although Nebraska's climate and soil are well-suited for many vegetables, most are supplied from out of the state, even during summer. Growing fresh vegetables can provide higher nutrition and flavor at less expense than buying fresh produce at the grocery store. A garden also can be a source of personal enjoyment and satisfaction.

This extension circular helps the gardener decide when, where, and how to plant and maintain a vegetable garden.