Colorado sunflower water use, physiology and productivity dataset

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Agronomy
• Hydrology

Background:

• Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a significant crop requiring efficient water management.
• Understanding crop water use is crucial for optimizing agricultural productivity and sustainability.
• Previous research highlights the need for detailed datasets to model crop responses to water availability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a comprehensive dataset from deficit irrigation and water productivity field trials for sunflower.
• To provide detailed measurements of water inputs, soil conditions, and crop responses.
• To facilitate the development and evaluation of sunflower crop growth and water use models.

Main Methods:

• Field trials were conducted from 2008 to 2016 in northeastern Colorado.
• Measurements included irrigation, precipitation, soil water storage, and plant responses.
• Data encompasses crop evapotranspiration, water use, biomass, yield, soil parameters, weather, and management practices.

Main Results:

• A publicly available dataset of 10 Excel workbooks was compiled.
• The dataset offers daily, seasonal, and management-related data for sunflower.
• Comprehensive data on water application, soil moisture, and crop performance is included.

Conclusions:

• The dataset provides a valuable resource for agricultural research.
• It enables the development and validation of sophisticated sunflower crop models.
• This data supports improved water management strategies in agriculture.