A S 3 DI system was installed annually with and without furrow diking to document yield and economic benefits of these techniques on peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.), cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.), and corn ( Zea mays L.). This research was conducted for three years and each crop had four treatments replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments included irrigation, irrigation plus furrow diking, non‐irrigation, and non‐irrigation plus furrow diking. In 2005, a high precipitation year, there was no yield or gross revenue difference between treatments for any crop. Net revenue was reduced in all irrigated crops in 2005 compared with non‐irrigated crops. In low precipitation years (2006 and 2007), irrigated yield of peanut, corn, and cotton increased an average 1.3, 7.3, and 2.8 times, respectively, over non‐irrigated yield. Net revenue increased for irrigated corn and cotton, but not for irrigated peanut compared with non‐irrigated crops. In limited precipitation years, installing a S 3 DI system annually was economically beneficial for corn and cotton but not for peanut. Furrow diking did not increase crop yield in any year, crop, or treatment, and may or may not be economically beneficial.
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Sorensen et al. (2010) studied this question.