Drip irrigation guide for onion growers in the Treasure Valley

Abstract

Since 1992, the Oregon State University Malheur Agricultural Experiment Station in Ontario, Oregon, has evaluated drip irrigation on onion. As pioneers in onion drip irrigation, we have investigated crop response to irrigation intensity and flow rate, bed configuration, subsurface chemigation, nitrogen fertilizer rates, microirrigation criteria, and plant population. As a result of this research, distinct advantages of drip irrigation have become available to growers. These advantages include significant reductions in water use and nitrate leaching, as well as increased onion size and marketable yield.