Following are brief descriptions of particular projects and programs. The reader is referred to the indicated person for details, results, or plans for the activities. Many programs are multidisciplinary and involve many personnel. Only one or two names are listed as a starting contact. As mentioned above, the activities are associated with current efforts. This listing is not alphabetical, and is not in any priority order.

A. Multiple Row Crops

• Development of computer models to predict yield of soybean, peanut, maize, wheat, cotton, tomato, and pepper as a function of weather and soil conditions and crop management scenarios. Hoogenboom, G., et al.

B. Turf

• Determination of the water use (ET) of turfgrasses at the interspecies and intraspecies levels for water conservation. Carrow, R. N., R. R. Duncan, et al. Preliminary Results indicate ET in the field under moderate drought stress varies from 3.03 to 3.80 mm d-1 and drought resistance from very high to moderately low for the seven most commonly used turfgrasses in Georgia. Intraspecies data on ET/drought resistance/rooting have been obtained on tall fescues, zoysiagrasses, bermudas, vegetative bermudagrasses, and seashore paspalums.
• Development of improved irrigation scheduling/water use techniques for turfgrasses via improved crop coefficients, infrared thermometry, cultivation methods, and development of water use efficient grasses for Georgia conditions. Carrow, R. N., R. R. Duncan, et al. Preliminary Results indicate that a) species and cultivars can differ appreciably in their water requirements and, therefore, their crop coefficients; b) deep cultivation methods on turfgrasses grown on kaolinitic soils can improve water use efficiency; c) infrared thermometry for irrigation scheduling has potential for cool season but not warm season grasses and; d) crop coefficients have been developed for many turfgrasses.
• Reduction of potential nitrate and phosphate leaching and runoff from golf greens and fairways. Shuman, L., et al. Preliminary Results from bermuda grass plot studies indicate that runoff P concentrations increased with fertilizer applications. Nitrate concentrations in leachate did not exceed 10 mg L-1 for the first three years of the study.
• Development of new cultivars of seashore paspalum and tall fescue turfgrasses with priority on superior drought resistance (SP, TF) and ability to tolerate poor water quality (SP), such as in salt water intrusion areas. Duncan, R. R. and R. N. Carrow.

C. Ornamentals/Landscape

• Use of composted pecan shells as a surface mulch on containers to reduce water loss and improve weed control. Ruter, J. et al. New Project
• Pot-in-plant production as affected by irrigation scheduling. Ruter, J. et al. Preliminary Results indicate cyclic irrigation (three to four applications per day for same total water volume) on ‘Okame’ cherries decreased average leachate volume by two-fold and increased overall irrigation efficiency by 27% as compared to a single application.
  Reduction of non-point source runoff from urban landscapes containing fertilizers and pesticides through the use of best management practices (BMPs). W. Gardner and R. Westerfield. BMPs include proper selection and planting of ornamentals and turf, the use of pest resistant plants, and implementation of integrated pest management. A Training Manual and homeowner brochure have been prepared and are available through the Center for Urban Agriculture.
• Membership on the Board of the Georgia Water Wise Council and development of related education programs. Wade, G. L. Current Activities include the development of a training video on water issues relative to the landscape industry.
• Xeriscaping - A system of ornamental plant and turf arrangement for improving efficiency of water use in the landscape. Metro-Atlanta area county agents are involved in all aspects of using these principles.
• Development of educational programs based on best management practices to reduce non-point source pollution in urban surface waters. Latimer, J. G., J. L. Jordan, et al. New Project. Currently, a statewide telephone survey is being conducted to determine homeowners knowledge and interest in pollution prevention techniques.
• Development of a mobile laboratory for auditing landscape irrigation in small communities. Harrison, K. A., D. L. Thomas, et al., New Project

D. Other Specialty Crops/Commodities

• Exploring the gene repertoire of Opuntia cacti, which is cultivated in some parts of the world as a fruit and vegetable crop that requires less than 10" of rain per year to make a crop. Paterson, A., et al. New Project
• Evaluation of pond site selection via topographic and soil mapping techniques for erodibility, capacity of watershed to supply water, potential for multiple water use, etc., in the production of tilapia in Honduras. Tollner, E. W., et al. New Project