Features Agronomy Irrigation
Irrigation manual available online

Jan. 22, 2013, Edmonton, AB - The Alberta Irrigation Management Manual 2013 was recently posted to Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development's website. The manual is intended to provide current information on beneficial irrigation management practices for optimum production of major irrigated crops in Alberta.

Irrigation management of crops is a complex and multifaceted process that ensures that optimal and profitable crop production is achieved. Management of irrigation practices includes agronomic (e.g., soil fertility, pest control), technical (irrigation systems and associated technology), human (manager's skills, knowledge, and decision making), and water factors that control plant growth. Proper irrigation management depends on accurate irrigation scheduling that minimizes problems related to the misapplication of water.

The 56-page manual includes sections explaining irrigation methods, soil-water-plant relationships, effective root zone depth, irrigation scheduling methods, application efficiencies, as well as specific sections on irrigation management of the major crops in Alberta.

The manual is available for viewing and for download from Alberta Agriculture's website by clicking here: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/irr14310/$file/altairrigmanagmanual.pdf?OpenElement.