Organic Agricultural Analysis: Efficiency of Common Practices

Authors

Bradley Biega, University of South Florida

Publication Year

2018

Abstract

To analyze the efficiency of common watering practices in an organic agriculture setting we use Sweetwater Organic Farm’s conventional methods for irrigation and land allotment as well as some algebra and calculus technique. Sweetwater’s operation is limited to their largest growing field. A mathematical model is built to determine the current efficiency of the rotary head sprinkler system. Then the efficiency of this system is compared to a new drip line system. Several variables like soil porosity, absorption rates, and areas where no plants are located, are taken into consideration. Our results show that the current irrigation in place wastes upwards of 200,000 gallons of water a year and that the proposed drip line irrigation system is more efficient and worth investigating.

Recommended Citation

Biega, Bradley (2018) "Organic Agricultural Analysis: Efficiency of Common Practices," Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two: Vol. 8: Iss. 2, Article 1.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5038/2326-3652.8.2.4888
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/ujmm/vol8/iss2/1

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