At February’s Ag Employer Seminar, UCCE Farm Advisor Franz Neiderholzer discussed several UCCE publications helpful to growers working to improve irrigation efficiency. Below are the discussed titles, with links for online purchase ($20-$25). For questions on the titles listed below, contact Franz Niederholzer at (530) 822-7515.Monitoring for Moisture

Monitoring for Moisture for Irrigation Water Management; ANR Pub. 21635 

Monitoring soil moisture is an alternate method to water-based balance methods of managing irrigation water. Using this method you can “see” what is going on in the soil and determine answers to some key irrigation management questions.

•Did enough water infiltrate the soil?
•Is too much water being applied?
•What is the water uptake pattern of the roots?
•When should irrigation take place?
•What was the depth reached by the irrigation?

Includes 24 figures and 7 tables, metric conversions, and an appendix of typical root depths.

Maintaining Microirrigation Systems;  ANR Pub 21637 

This handy publication discusses the maintenance issues of microirrigation systems that can be used on tree crops, row crops, and trees and vines.

Chapters include an overview of maintenance needs, monitoring and water assessment, causes and prevention of clogging, flushing and safety concerns. Also includes methods of preventing root intrusion, soil ingestion, bacterial growth, and backflow contamination.

2009 winner of a “Blue Ribbon” award for excellence in educational publications from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Fertigating with Microirrigation;  ANR Pub 21620

  • Characteristics of Selected Fertilizers Commonly Used for Fertigation
  • Where does the Nitrogen Go?
  • Fertigation Strategies
  • Applying the Right Amount of Fertilizer
  • Nitrogen Irrigation in Water
  • Frequency of Fertigation
  • Applying Fertilizers Uniformly with Microirrigation
  • Nitrogen Fertilizer Distribution Around Drip Lines
  • Phosporus and Potassium Fertilizer Distribution Around Drip Lines
  • Injecting Gypsum
  • Mixing Considerations
  • Injection Devices
  • Preventing Backflow
  • Safety Concerns

Irrigation Pumping PlantsIrrigation Pumping Plants_Page_1; ANR Pub 3377 

Getting maximum output for every energy dollar spent is the primary objective in operating an irrigation pumping plant. This manual answers growers’ most frequent questions about irrigation pumping plants. Here you’ll find everything you need from the basics of how different pumps work to detailed information about pump design, motors vs. engines, performance tests, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

Agricultural Salinity and Drainage;  ANR Pub 3375 

SalinityThis handbook has been developed to bridge the gap between the advanced salinity literature and practical information on salinity intended for lay audiences. A user-friendly resource for agricultural consultants and advisors, as well as for local, state and federal agricultural and water agency management staff. Includes thirty-eight chapters covering a broad spectrum of salinity and drainiage topics, written so as to be easily understood by anyone with a general agricultural background.

Also includes appendices presented as a shorthand guide to assessing soil salinity and to determining the suitability of a given water for irrigation. Illustrated with 27 tables and 44 figures.