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Spatial Dynamics of Water and Nitrogen Management in Irrigated Agriculture
Author(s) -
Knapp Keith C.,
Schwabe Kurt A.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
american journal of agricultural economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.949
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1467-8276
pISSN - 0002-9092
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8276.2007.01124.x
Subject(s) - environmental science , nitrate , irrigation , leaching (pedology) , agriculture , nitrogen , nutrient pollution , spatial variability , agronomy , agricultural engineering , soil science , mathematics , chemistry , soil water , ecology , engineering , biology , statistics , organic chemistry
Dynamic optimization of crop production with nonuniform irrigation and nitrogen carryover and leaching is considered. A production function system with thresholds, plateau maximum, and yield reduction is estimated from experimental data; rapid convergence to a steady‐state is observed. Spatial variability implies a 40% increase in applied water and a six‐fold increase in nitrate emissions, while dynamic optimization has more modest impacts. Nitrate emission control is accomplished primarily through reduced applied water, illustrating a strong cross‐policy effect. Significant levels of water conservation and nitrate pollution control are achieved at relatively low cost with traditional irrigation systems and baseline conditions.