MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

B238
Crop Coefficients and Water Use for Peppers in Southwest Florida
Project Type Basin Initiatives
AOR(s)
Water Supply
Basin(s) Alafia River, Hillsborough River, Withlacoochee River, Peace River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
University of Florida
Project Manager COHEN, RON
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
Description
Peppers are one of the major row crops grown in the District and in some regions, second only to tomatoes. The
actual amount of water these crops use is based on soils, growing season and climatic conditions. To improve the
crops' water use efficiency and to help conserve water, it is important for the grower and the District to know exactly
how much water the crops require. This lysimeter study will determine how much water pepper plants in Southwest
Florida need, determine crop coefficients and an irrigation schedule to help growers.
Benefits
Currently there are over 8,000 acres directly permitted for pepper production and an additional 17,000 acres that might
be in a rotation with pepper. These sites are permitted for about 16.5 Mgd (27 Mgd for rotational sites). The number of
acres planted and their water use will change annually based on market and climatic conditions. Assuming that results
from this project will help reduce 10% of that water, the savings could be about 1.7 Mgd. Added benefits to this project
include a potential reduction in pollutant loading and information for AGMOD.
Costs
This two-year project will cost $135,000. These costs will be divided between the five basin boards that have the most
acres permitted for pepper production. Project costs have been prorated between the Alafia (49%), Hillsborough River
(19%), Manasota (15%), Peace River (8%) and the Withlacoochee River (9%) Basin Boards. Basin Board funds will
be budgeted in FY2007, FY2008 and FY2009. Alafia River will budget $21,891, Hillsborough River will budget $8,514,
Manasota will budget $4,257, Peace River will budget $3,649 and the Withlacoochee River will budget $6,689 each
year.
Additional Information
Currently, the District and the growers use water use values developed outside of Florida. Although these values
seem to be reasonable, local crop coefficients could help enhance irrigation scheduling and reduce water use. In
addition, the crop coefficients will help decrease the transport of nutrients into the ground and surface water. Water
use within the District is expected to increase by 2020. It is anticipated that a large portion of this increased demand
will be met by water conservation. Since agricultural water use accounts for the largest fraction of the total permitted
water amount in the District, efforts are needed to develop methods to help this water use sector reduce their water
use.
Prior
Funding
Cumulative FY 2009 FY2010
Transfers Funding Funding
District Budgeted - Ad Valorem Based
Revenue
011 Alafia River Basin 43,782 0 21,891
0
0 65,673
013 Hillsborough River Basin 17,028 0 8,514
0
0 25,542
019 Withlacoochee River Basin 13,378 0 6,689
0
0 20,067
020 Peace River Basin 7,298 0 3,649
0
0 10,947
021 Manasota Basin 8,514 0 4,257
0
0 12,771
Total:
Future
Funding
Total
Funding
$135,000
Critical Project Milestones Projected Amended Actual
Agreement to Contracts 8/1/06 5/1/07
021 - Manasota Basin 145