Proper irrigation scheduling is the application of water to crops only when needed and only in the amounts needed; that is, determining when to irrigate and how much water to apply. With proper irrigation scheduling, crop yields will not be limited by water stress from droughts, and the waste of water and energy used in pumping will be minimized. Other benefits include reduced loss of nutrients from leaching as a result of excess water applications, and reduced pollution of groundwater or surface waters from the leaching of nutrients.
