Irrigation and Crop Management Impacts and Innovations Associated with California’s Current Drought.

The most recent drought in California is taking a considerable toll on crop production systems throughout the state.  Changes in cropping patterns, increased fallowed land, intensified groundwater pumping, and lost revenues are having significant impacts on this region of historically phenomenal agricultural productivity.  Numerous advances in irrigation technology and water management during recent decades have contributed to the ability of farmers to achieve highly water use efficient production in several sectors.  The sheer severity of the recent drought, however, is now creating a number of additional innovations with respect to farm water management.  Shifts from surface to low-pressure, precision irrigation systems are occurring.  Local groundwater recharge systems during higher rainfall periods are also being investigated.  In addition, recent research examining the potential importance of the soil as a reservoir and important part of the hydrologic cycle particularly under high residue, reduced tillage systems is also now spurring interest in these cropping system alternatives that have been uncommon in the region before.