Yann Périard

Assessment of the drainage capacity of cranberry fields: Problem identification using soil clustering and development of a new drainage criterion1

Abstract: Over the last few years, advanced knowledge in cranberry field hydrology has lead to substantial increase in production. Much of this progress has come from knowing the relationship between drainage capacity and soil profile properties. However, drainage problems can occur and an appropriate diagnosis remains essential for making recommendations adapted to each soil type. The objectives of this study were to (1) classify soil profiles under cranberry production and (2) identify diagnostic variables related to drainage capacity. To diagnose and classify drainage capacity, profiles were characterized for many physicochemical and hydraulic properties using a cluster analysis. Results indicate that a criterion can be defined and used to assess drainage capacity with respect to a soil classification scheme based on physicochemical and hydraulic properties. The methodology developed in this study provides a framework to identify local drainage problem and solutions based on soil characteristics.

Relationships among soil hydraulic properties, drainage efficiency, and cranberry yield1

Abstract: In cranberry production, efficient drainage systems are essential for the development of precision irrigation methods. Most cranberry fields are equipped with subsurface drainage systems used for water table control and excess water removal. Cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) are highly sensitive to wet soil conditions, and decreases in crop yield are often caused by a malfunction of the drainage system. The main objective of this study was to identify the effect of soil hydrodynamic parameters on subsurface drainage efficiency and cranberry production. During the 2013 and 2014 cropping seasons, real-time measurement devices were installed in 15 fields in the Quebec region, to monitor water table drawdown. Characterization of the soil hydrodynamic properties was done on undisturbed soil cores collected from these 15 fields, and the relationships between drainage efficiency and soil properties were determined. The results of this study highlight the importance of soil hydrodynamic properties on water table drawdown and cranberry yield and showed that nearly 50% of the variance of water table drawdown and crop yield is explained by soil hydrodynamic properties.