2025 International School on Microirrigation for Crop Production

CLASS LECTURES: OCTOBER 13-15
FIELD TRIPS: OCTOBER 16-17

Class lectures will be held in the UC Davis Conference Center. Field trips will be in the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast of California.

ATTENDING THIS SCHOOL WILL PROVIDE:

– 3 days of practical class lectures on principles and implementation of microirrigation systems and management practices for crop production

– 2 days of field demonstration visits (one day in the San Joaquin Valley for modernized irrigation delivery systems, and fruit and nut crops; one day in the Central Coast for vineyards, vegetable crops, and berries)

VIEW THE SCHEDULE

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QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT US:

Daniele Zaccaria – UC Davis: dzaccaria@ucdavis.edu

Mary Ann Dickinson: maryann@dickinsonassociates.com

Instructors of the School are professionals with extensive experience on principles and practical applications of microirrigation for resource-efficient crop production.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

Technical aspects of water delivery systems to allow for successful adoption and management of microirrigation systems
Soil-water movement and soil-plant-water relations with microirrigation
Microirrigation systems design, operation, maintenance, automation, and performance evaluation
Methods and tools for microirrigation scheduling
Managing microirrigation for different crops (field and agronomic crops; vegetable crops; berry crops; fruit crops; nut crops; vineyards)
Chemigation and fertigation
Salinity management with microirrigation

Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor Registration Gold Sponsor Registration Silver Sponsor Registration Exhibitor Registration

Day 1 (Oct 13)Day 2 (Oct 14)Day 3 (Oct 15)Day 4 (Oct 16)Day 5 (Oct 17)

Topics: General Aspects of Microirrigation

Introduction to Microirrigation: Definition; Advantages and Constraints; Types of Microirrigation Systems;
Statistics on Microirrigation Use Worldwide; Enabling Conditions for Successful Adoption of Microirrigation (J. Ayars)
Hydrological and Basin-scale Considerations for Microirrigation (P. Steduto)
Water Delivery Requirements for Successful Adoption of Microirrigation (E. Rothberg)
Microirrigation Systems’ Components and Functions (I. Bisconer)
Water Movements and Storage with Microirrigation in Various Soil Types (B. Sanden)
Plant-Water Dynamics (K. Shackel)
Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum (P. Steduto)
Methods and Tools for Microirrigation Scheduling for Orchards and Vineyards (D. Zaccaria; M. Cahn)
rrigation for Frost Protection and Evaporative Cooling (R. Snyder)
Considerations on Sub-surface Drip Irrigation (J. Ayars)

8:30—8:30 AM

Coffee and Refreshments

8:30—8:45 AM

Welcome to the International School on Microirrigation and Logistic Information

Session 1 – General Introduction and Hydrologic/Basin-scale Considerations

J. Ayars; P. Steduto

8:45—9:15 AM

9:15—9:45 AM

9:45—10:15 AM

10:15—10:45 AM

10:45—11:15 AM

Introduction to Microirrigation (J. Ayars)

Hydrologic and Basin-scale Considerations for Microirrigation (P. Steduto)

Water Delivery Requirements for Successful Adoption of Microirrigation (E. Rothberg)

Microirrigation Systems’ Components and Functions (I. Bisconer)

COFFEE BREAK

NOON—1:30 PM

LUNCH AND IRRIGATION PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD PRESENTATION

Session 2 – Soil and Plant Water Dynamics in Microirrigated Cropping Systems

P. Steduto; K. Shackel

11:15—11:45 AM

11:45—12:15 PM

12:15—12:45 PM

Water Movements and Storage with Microirrigation in Various Soil Types (B. Sanden)

Plant-Water Dynamics (K. Shackel)

Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum (P. Steduto)

12:45—1:45 PM

LUNCH

Session 3 – Microirrigation Scheduling

D. Zaccaria; M. Cahn

1:45—2:30 PM

2:30—3:15 PM

3:15—3:30 PM

Methods and Tools for Microirrigation Scheduling in Specialty Crops (D. Zaccaria; M. Cahn)

Outdoor Field Session on Measuring Soil and Plant Water Status (M. Cahn; K. Shackel; C. Albuquerque)

COFFEE BREAK

Session 4 – Microirrigation for Micro-climate Control. Considerations on Sub-surface Drip Irrigation

K.Bali; J. Ayars

3:30—4:00 PM

4:00—4:30 PM

4:30—5:00 PM

5:00—5:30 PM

5:45—7:45 PM

6:30—7:30 PM

Irrigation for Frost Protection and Evaporative Cooling (R. Snyder)

Energy Supply and Demand for Microirrigation (A. Aghajanzadeh)

General Considerations on Sub-surface Drip Irrigation (J. Ayars)

Questions & Answers

Social Dinner with Sponsors and Exhibitors at the UC Davis Conference Center

Tributes to Irrigation Research Leaders (G. H. Hargreaves; J. Keller; F. Lamm; C. Phene)

Topics: Microirrigation System Design and Operation

Design Principles for Microirrigation Systems (D. Zaccaria)
Hydraulics for Microirrigation Systems (O. Lagos)
Filtration and Fertigation Systems (K. Bali; M. Culumber)
Design and Operational Considerations for Pumps, Valves, and Flow/Pressure Control Devices (I. Bisconer)
Microirrigation Systems Operation, Monitoring, and Maintenance (M. Cahn)
Performance Evaluation of Microirrigation Systems and Financial Considerations (I. Bisconer)
Microirrigation System Automation and Monitoring (A. Rehnvall; B. Sanden; J. Nichols)

8:30—9:00 AM

Coffee and Refreshments

Session 5 – Design Criteria and Hydraulics for Microirrigation Systems

O. Lagos; D. Zaccaria

9:00—9:30 AM

9:30—10:00 AM

10:00—10:30 AM

10:30—11:00 AM

Design Criteria and Procedure for Resource-Efficient Microirrigation (D. Zaccaria)

Hydraulics for Microirrigation Systems (O. Lagos)

Practical Exercise Session on Microirrigation Design and Hydraulics (O. Lagos)

COFFEE BREAK

Session 6 – Filtration and Fertigation Systems, Pumps, Valves, and Flow/Pressure Control Devices

K. Bali; M. Culumber

11:00—11:30 AM

11:30—12:00PM

12:00—12:30 PM

Filtration Systems, Operation, and Monitoring (K. Bali)

Chemical Injection Systems, Operation, and Monitoring (M. Culumber)

Design and Operational Considerations for Pumps, Valves, and Flow/Pressure Control Devices (I. Bisconer)

12:30—1:30 PM

LUNCH

Session 7 – Operation, Monitoring, Maintenance, and Field Evaluation of Microirrigation Systems

M. Cahn; I. Bisconer

1:30—2:00 PM

2:00—2:30 PM

2:30—3:00 PM

3:00—3:30 PM

Microirrigation System Operation, Monitoring, and Maintenance (M. Cahn)

Criteria and Metrics for Evaluating Field Performance of Microirrigation Systems (I. Bisconer)

A Novel Tool for Evaluating Microirrigation Performance and Financial Considerations (I.Bisconer)

COFFEE BREAK

Session 8 – Microirrigation System Automation and Monitoring

B. Sanden; J. Nichols

3:30—4:00 PM

4:00—4:30 PM

4:30—5:00 PM

5:00—5:30 PM

5:30 PM

5:45—7:45 PM

Principles of Irrigation Automation (A. Rehnvall)

Automation and System Monitoring Components (B. Sanden)

Irrigation Planning, Safety, Resource Conservation, and Success Stories (J. Nichols)

Questions & Answers

ADJOURN

Social Hours and Refreshments with Sponsors and Exhibitors at the UC Davis Conference Center

Topics: Microirrigation Management for Various Crops

Management of Microirrigation for: Field and Agronomic Crops; Vegetable Crops; Berry Crops, Fruit Crops; Nut Crops; Grape Vineyards (K. Bali; M. Cahn; A. Biscaro; A. Fulton; M. Fidelibus)
Application of Chemical Materials (D. Amaral; Z. Wang)
Application of Biological Effluents (G. Vivaldi)
Salinity Management (J. Ayars; M. Culumber; E. Scudiero)

8:30—9:00 AM

Coffee and Pastry

Session 9 – Microirrigation Management Strategies for Annual and Berry Crops

K. Bali; M. Cahn

9:00—9:20 AM

9:20—9:40 AM

9:40—10:00 AM

10:00—10:30 AM

10:30—11:00 AM

Field and Agronomic Crops (K. Bali)

Vegetable Crops (M. Cahn)

Berry Crops (A. Biscaro)

Practical Exercise Session on Microirrigation Management for Annual and Berry Crops. Questions & Answers (K. Bali; M. Cahn; A. Biscaro)

COFFEE BREAK

Session 10 – Microirrigation Management Strategies for Perennial Crops

M. Culumber; D. Zaccaria

11:00—11:30 AM

11:30—12:00PM

12:00—12:30 PM

Nut Crops (A. Fulton)

Fruit Crops (To Be Defined)

Grape Vineyards (M. Fidelibus)

12:30—1:30 PM

LUNCH

Session 11 – Application of Chemicals and Biological Effluents

M. Cahn; M. Culumber

1:30—2:00 PM

2:00—2:30 PM

2:30—3:00 PM

3:00—3:30 PM

Main Criteria for Nutrient Management with Microirrigation Systems (D. Amaral)

Application of Agrochemicals through Microirrigation Systems (Z. Wang)

Application of Biological Effluents with Microirrigation Systems. Impacts on Plants, Soils, and Health Considerations (G. Vivaldi)

COFFEE BREAK

Session 12 – Salinity Management with Microirrigation

J. Ayars; K. Bali

3:30—4:00 PM

4:00—4:30 PM

4:30—5:00 PM

5:00—5:15 PM

5:15—5:45 PM

5:45 PM

Quantifying and Mapping Soil Salinity and Sodicity (E. Scudiero)

Irrigation Water Quality Considerations (M. Culumber)

Leaching and Salinity Management Practices (J. Ayars)

Q&A Session on Salinity Management Practices (J. Ayars; M. Culumber; K. Bali)

School Lectures Closing and Delivery of Completion Certificates (J. Ayars; M. Culumber; O.Lagos; D. Zaccaria; K. Bali; M. Cahn)

ADJOURN

Field/Demonstration Visits in the San Joaquin Valley

Modernized Irrigation Water Delivery Systems
Irrigation/Fertigation Automation
Nut Crops
Fruit Crops

7:00 AM

Departure from Davis and drive to Turlock, CA

Visit 1 – Modernized Irrigation Water Delivery Systems: Turlock Irrigation District (TID)

Turlock, CA

9:00—11:00 AM

11:00—11:30 AM

11:45—12:30 PM

12:30—2:30 PM

Turlock Irrigation District Headquarter (TID Personnel; E. Rothberg)

Lunch at Turlock Irrigation District Headquarter

Laterals 7 and 8; Ceres Regulating Reservoir, Automated Gates and Irrigation Delivery Offtakes + Q&A (TID Personnel; E. Rothberg)

Drive to Hanford, CA

Visit 2 – HotSpot Ag

Hanford, CA

2:30—3:00 PM

3:00—3:30 PM

Rationale and Metrics for Performance Evaluation of Microirrigation Systems (J. Anshutz)

Automation of Microirrigation and Fertigation for Fruit and Nut Crops and Vineyards + Q&A (J. Nichols)

Visit 3 – Nichols Farms

Hanford, CA

3:45—4:45 PM

4:45 PM

5:30 PM

7:00 PM

Irrigation, Nutrient, and Salinity Management in Pistachio and Almond Production Orchards + Q&A (D. Amaral; M. Culumber; J. Nichols; D. Zaccaria)

ADJOURN

Dinner at the Visalia County Club (optional)

Drive to Coalinga and overnight stay at Harris Ranch – Coalinga, CA

Field/Demonstration Visits in Salinas/Monterey Areas

M. Cahn; L. Bettiga; C. Albuquerque

Vineyards
Vegetable
Berry Crops

7:30 AM

Departure from Harris Ranch – Coalinga, CA and drive to Soledad, CA

Visit 1 – Zabala Vineyards

Soledad, CA

9:30—11:30 AM

11:45—1:00 PM

CIMIS Weather Station; Measurement of Vine Water Status; Irrigation Scheduling with Drip Systems in Vineyards; Validation of Satellite Remote Sensing-based ET versus ground-based ET for Vineyards; Q&A (M. Cahn; L. Bettiga; C. Albuquerque)

LUNCH

Visit 2 – Cool-season Vegetable Production Farm

Soledad, CA

1:30—3:00 PM

Drip Irrigation System Design and Management; Irrigation and Nutrient Management Practices for Cool-season Vegetables; Q&A (M. Cahn)

Visit 3 – Berry Crops Production Farm

Salinas, CA

3:30—4:30 PM

4:45 PM

5:00 – 8:00 PM

Irrigation System Design; Irrigation and Nutrient Management Practices for Strawberry; Q&A (M. Cahn)

ADJOURN

Vans drive back to Davis, CA.

List of Instructors, Titles, and Affiliations

1) James Ayars: Research Agricultural Engineer (retired) – USDA-Agriculture Research Service, Fresno, CA

2) Pasquale Steduto: Senior Water Scientist, LAWR Department – University of California, Davis

3) Eric Rothberg: Sales Manager North America – Rubicon Water, Fort Collins, CO

4) Inge Bisconer: Irrigation Consultant and Past President, Irrigation Association – San Diego, CA

5) Blake Sanden: Agronomy and Irrigation Advisor (Emeritus) – University of California Cooperative Extension Kern

County

6) Kenneth Shackel: Professor, Department of Plant Sciences – University of California, Davis

7) Caetano Albuquerque: Professor, Department of Biology and Chemistry – California State University Monterey Bay

8) Daniele Zaccaria: Professor & Agricultural Water Management Specialist, LAWR Department – University of

California, Davis

9) Michael Cahn: Irrigation and Water Resource Advisor – University of California Cooperative Extension Monterey

County

10) Richard Snyder: Bio-meteorology Specialist (Emeritus), LAWR Department – University of California, Davis

11) Arian Aghajanzadeh: Founder of Klimate Consulting, Inc. – San Francisco, CA.

12) Octavio Lagos: Professor, School of Agricultural Engineering – University of Concepcion, Campus of Chillan (Chile)

13) Khaled Bali: Irrigation Water Management Specialist – University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

14) Mae Culumber: Nut Crop Advisor – University of California Cooperative Extension Fresno County

15) Anders Rehnvall: CEO at EZE System Inc. – Folsom, CA

16) James Nichols: President – HotSpot Ag, Hanford, CA

17) Andre Biscaro: Irrigation Advisor – University of California Cooperative Extension Ventura County

18) Allan Fulton: Irrigation and Water Resource Advisor (Emeritus) – University of California Cooperative Extension

Tehama, Glenn, Colusa, and Shasta Counties

19) Kevin Day – To Be Confirmed: Pomology Advisor, Emeritus – University of California Cooperative Extension Tulare

County

20) Matthew Fidelibus: professor of Viticulture and Enology for Cooperative Extension, Department of Viticulture and

Enology – University of California, Davis

21) Doug Amaral: Nut Crop Farm Advisor – University of California Cooperative Extension Kings County

22) Zheng Wang: Vegetable Crop Advisor – University of California Cooperative Extension Stanislaus County

23) Gaetano Alessandro Vivaldi: Professor – Universita’ degli Studi Aldo Moro, Bari (Italy)

24) Elia Scudiero: Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences – University of California, Riverside

25) James Anshutz: Founder AGH2O – Fresno, CA

26) Larry Bettiga: Viticulture Farm Advisor – University of California Cooperative Extension Monterey County