Grant Develops Cotton-Based Precision Irrigation to Improve Sustainability

Cotton, which contributes $5 billion to the United States’ economy through exports alone, faces escalating threats from climate change-induced droughts, creating an urgent need to optimize water management for this crop. Precision irrigation is an agricultural approach that provides water to crops at the right time, place and amount to improve growth. However, implementing plant-based precision irrigation requires crop-specific information that has not been utilized for cotton in the Southeastern U.S., despite its economic importance. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) is providing a $753,206 Seeding Solutions grant to the University of Georgia (UGA) to develop cotton-based precision irrigation strategies, ensuring optimal water use without compromising yield or profitability. UGA is providing matching funds for a total investment of $1,507,062.

While estimates of crop water use based on generic plant models can be useful in managing the timing, location and amount of irrigation, a crop-specific estimation provides more accurate estimates and significant water savings. Researchers, led by UGA Professor of Crop and Soil Science Dr. John Snider, are studying how cotton crops planted across varied growing conditions throughout the Cotton Belt use water and sunlight to enhance our understanding of cotton’s growth and water use dynamics. Comparing these data to the generic model will allow researchers to determine the added value of the cotton-based estimates.

In addition, the project is integrating cotton-based irrigation advancements into accessible irrigation scheduling tools, empowering growers with actionable information. Cotton growers in the Southeastern U.S. and beyond will benefit from this research through improved water use efficiency, yield stability and enhanced economic productivity.

For more information about this grant, visit the Cotton-Based Precision Irrigation Improves Sustainability page on FFAR’s website.

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Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.

Connect: @FoundationFAR