IRRIGATION METHODS USED IN CALIFORNIA - GROWER SURVEY

A statewide survey was conducted during 1992 to determine which method s growers used to irrigate their crops in 1991. A questionnaire was di stributed to 10,000 of the estimated 80,000 growers in California. Res pondents represent nearly 6% of the total 1991 irrigated crop land in California. A comparison with studies done during 1972 and 1980 showed that the amount of land irrigated by surface methods has declined, wh ile the amount of land irrigated by sprinkler and drip methods has inc reased. The area planted to field crops has declined, while that plant ed to permanent crops such as fruit and nut trees and grapevines has i ncreased. A rapid increase in the use of drip irrigation in vineyards is the most significant change.