What is meant by limited or deficit irrigation?
Limited or deficit irrigation would be those situations where irrigation water is either managed or applied out of necessity in amounts throughout the duration of the irrigation season such that the total amount of water applied is less than that required to meet the potential evapotranspiration of the crop, when rainfall and stored soil moisture are taken into account. Limited irrigation may be achieved by one of several techniques, including: 1) reducing acres under irrigation, 2) reducing irrigation water applied to the field per application and throughout the growing season, 3) making use of the available recycled water, and 4) modifying irrigation equipment and systems through sprinkler nozzle configurations, system pressure modifications. Limited irrigation practices are appropriate where irrigation water is not readily available to meet crop-water requirements and in areas of competing demands for ground and surface water supplies. Areas where water quality has become increasing
