Khaled Bali - CE Irrigation Water Mgmt. Specialist
The irrigation and water management program at Kearney focuses on applied research and extension activities related to water use efficiency and sustainable ground water management in irrigated agricultural systems. The goal of the program is to provide research-based information to growers and stakeholders that will assist in addressing challenges related prolonged drought, limited water supplies, salinity, and over drafting of groundwater aquifer. Our current projects include field research on automation of irrigation systems, deficit irrigation, groundwater recharge, water penetration problems, use of artificial intelligence in irrigation management and groundwater recharge, and fertigation strategies to reduce leaching of nitrates into groundwater. Our lab also participates in extension and outreach events to provide information on irrigation management practices targeted to growers, irrigators, students, and other interested stakeholders.
The Kearney team works with UCANR and UC Davis academics on the Nitrogen and Irrigation Initiative (NII) to improve nitrogen and irrigation management in California by closing the information access and training gap. AS part of the NII initiative, UCANR advisors and specialists will work with Staff Research Associates (SRAs) to deliver educational content, training, and consultations to growers and their consultants in the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast. The NII is a collaborative program of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the University of California, Davis.
