Dr. Giovanni Piccinni
Assistant Professor
Plant Stress Physiology
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION CENTER
1619 Garner Field Road
Uvalde, Texas 78801
Phone: (830) 278-9151 Ext. 138
Fax: (830) 278-1570
Email: g-piccinni@tamu.edu
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
The depletion of the Edwards aquifer and the competition for water with urban areas has limited water available for irrigation. This issue is becoming even more pressing with the introduction of new caps on water available for irrigation imposed by the Edwards Aquifer Authority in the Winter Gardens. This limiation restricts growers in the Edward region to pump no more than 1 to 2-acre foot of water based on historical use. When the amount of water applied to any crop is reduced below the level required for maximum yield, it is considered to be deficit irrigation. This practice is often used in semi-arid regions such as the Winter Garden area where rainfall furnishespart of a crop’s water requirements, but irrigation is needed to achieve maximum yields. Under deficit irrigation, the crop must be drought tolerant to withstand stress. New technology, the introduction of new drought tolerant varieties and a new understanding of agricultural productivity can allow crop production with limited water availability. Therefore, studies addressing crop production with limited water availability and irrigation management techniques will provide the basis for economical viability for the agricultural-based Edwards aquifer dependent communities. west of San Antonio.