DYNAMIC COMPARISON OF SYSTEMS FOR IRRIGATION AND EFFLUENT APPLICATION

This study compares subsurface drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation with respect to expected returns, aquifer life, nutrient utilization and accumulation in the production of irrigated corn using swine effluent and fresh groundwater from a depleting aquifer in the Oklahoma Panhandle. The results of the Dynamic Programming model indicate that SDI outperforms center pivot sprinkler irrigation in terms of NPV of net returns and reduced phosphorus accumulation in soil. Soil nitrogen accumulation in soil is greater with SDI. Groundwater depletion is projected to occur at the end of 36th year with center pivot irrigation.