Tuesday, 8 November 2005 - 8:45 AM
142-2

Soil Management Practices of Irrigated Cotton and Wheat Farmers of the Ferghana Province in Uzbekistan.

K.F. Bronson, Texas Agric Exp Stn, Soil & Crops Dept, Texas A&M Univ, and Plant & Soil Sci Dept, Texas Tech Univ, RR 3 Box 219, Lubbock, TX 79403, M. Teshaboev, Agro-Hamkor Farmers Learning-Consulting Center, 250 Mustaqillik, Ferghana City, Uzbekistan, N. Ibragimov, Uzbekistan National Cotton Growing Research Institute, P.O.Akkavak, 702133, Kibray District, Tashkent Province, Uzbekistan, U. Dedabaev, Mercy Corps, 41/1 Djidazor St., Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and J.C. Baxter, Winrock International, 44/1 Bogidil/Mirokilov St, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The Ferghana Valley of Uzbekistan is one of the most agriculturally productive regions of the world. Abundant surface irrigation water and the heavy-textured soils of the valley lead to high yields of cotton and wheat. In the Ferghana province in 2003, 115,000 ha of wheat and 105,000 ha cotton were harvested. Average yields of wheat grain in 2003 were 4.9 t/ha and 2003 seedcotton yields were 1.9 t/ha. LaMotte soil test kits were used to test soils sampled by farmers from 22 farms in three districts of the Ferghana province. Nitrate-N ranged from low to medium and soil P tested from medium to medium-high. Soil test K was high to very high in all soils. On-farm surveys of soil management practices were carried out in 2004-2005. Of the 32 farmers who responded, all indicated N and P fertilizer use that was about 2 X higher than needed for the cotton and wheat yields reported. Reducing fertilizer use would allow more exports of locally produced urea and superphosphate. Furrow irrigation frequency was also probably higher than needed, especially early and late in the growing seasons. Alternate furrow irrigation and use of siphons would probably reduce water use without hurting yields, and allow more river flow into the Aral Sea.

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