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<br />0018~' <br /> <br />SUMMARY <br /> <br />Mr. Power stated, in summarizing the discussion, that people are our <br />biggest unknown factor in increased irrigation efficiencies. He felt <br />the consensus of the group was that an irrigator tends to pump water <br />to a point where water no longer I imits his crop production. In terms <br />of basic questions posed at the beginning of the seminar, the factors <br />which may affect technology and management, Mr, Power indicated they <br />broke down into three basic categories: <br /> <br />1. Pumping of the water from its source to the field, <br />2. The point of application in the field, and <br />3. Reduction in waste water. <br /> <br />We could expect increased efficiencies as a result of metering or <br />perhaps through legal means (such as taxing the water withdrawn) <br />or through organized districts. Evapotranspiration takes place once <br />water is applied. Losses from the soil amount to 30 percent, and <br />from the plants, 70 percent. The plant directly uses only a very <br />small fraction of its water uptake. We can expect greater plant water <br />efficiencies from research. However, we must be cautious of the need <br />for water to carry nutrients from the soil-root zone to the plant. <br />We should be concerned with accumulation of salts in the plant-root <br />zone and the need to overirrigate, to leach out salt accumulations, <br />Mr, Power stated reduction in tail water requirements could be <br />obtained from utilization of waste water through ponds or other <br />collection devices. Also, the need exists for a better understanding <br />of recharge, both artificial and recharge occurring from irrigation in <br />federal project areas, In conclusion, Mr. Power summarized that we <br />might expect irrigation efficiency to change from the current 50 <br />percent to 75 percent in the next 25 years, That would mean a 25 <br />percent decrease in the quantity of water diverted for comparable pro- <br />duction per acre. <br /> <br />21. <br />