116: Using Nudge Theory to Improve Irrigation Practices

How can values, beliefs, and attitudes around irrigation improve water efficiency? That is exactly what a recent California Department of Water Resources (DWR) grant project aimed to discover. Grant recipient, Vineyard Team, worked with 59 growers over three years to conduct irrigation-related behavior interviews, Distribution Uniformity evaluations, and determine if continued interaction (nudges) with the grower would increase the adoption of irrigation best management practices in vineyards.

Every participant received a free DU and personalized report of recommendations so the researchers could track which improvements, like replacing plugged emitters, were implemented. Participants were divided into two groups, some with no contact beyond the initial DU test. The other half received regular nudges through phone calls and email calls to see if they had questions and to provide technical information.

Listen in to learn how nudges change irrigation efficiency.

References:

• 108: Using Satellite Data for Irrigation Scheduling
• 101: Sub-surface Micro-irrigation in Vineyards
• Drip Irrigation Systems: Common Problems and Fixes
• Irrigation Best Management Practices
• Irrigation System Maintenance Tips - English
• Irrigation System Maintenance Tips - Spanish
• Irrigation Playlist – YouTube
• Nudge Theory
• SIP Certified
• Sustainable Ag Expo

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