Michael D. Dukes

0000-0002-9340-5968

Minimum Number of Soil Moisture Sensors for Monitoring and Irrigation Purposes

Lincoln Zotarelli, Michael D. Dukes, and Marcelo Paranhos

Homeowners' Preferences for Smart Irrigation Systems and Features

Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Dong Hee Suh, and Michael Dukes

Drought conditions make landscape irrigation and reducing water use top-of-mind for many Floridians. Encouraging wise water use is of particular importance to the smart irrigation industry and water policy makers. This 5-page fact sheet pinpoints key attributes and barriers affecting consumers' irrigation purchases and their adoption of smart irrigation technologies.

Evapotranspiration-Based Irrigation for Agriculture: Sources of Evapotranspiration Data for Irrigation Scheduling in Florida

Isaya Kisekka, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael D. Dukes, Bruce Schaffer, Jonathan H. Crane, Kelly Morgan, Haimanote K. Bayabil, and Sandra M. Guzman

This article is part of a series on ET-based irrigation scheduling for agriculture. The rest of the series can be found at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_series_ET-based_irrigation_scheduling_for_agriculture.

Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) for Enhanced Water Distribution: SDI—Seepage Hybrid System

Lincoln Zotarelli, Libby Rens, Charles Barrett, Daniel J. Cantliffe, Michael D. Dukes, Mark Clark, and Steven Lands

Interpretación del Contenido de la Humedad del Suelo para Determinar Capacidad de Campo y Evitar Riego Excesivo en Suelos Arenosos Utilizando Sensores de Humedad

Lincoln Zotarelli, Michael D. Dukes, y Kelly T. Morgan

Household Water Usage and Irrigation Practices

Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, and Michael Dukes

Evapotranspiration-Based Irrigation for Agriculture: Implementing Evapotranspiration-Based Irrigation Scheduling for Agriculture

Isaya Kisekka, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael D. Dukes, Jonathan H. Crane, Bruce Schaffer, Haimanote K Bayabil, and Sandra M Guzman

Toward Sustainable Urban Landscape Management: Floridians' Perceptions of Residential Landscapes and Their Maintenance Requirements

Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Xumin Zhang, and Michael Dukes

This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Xumin Zhang, and Michael Dukes and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department is the first in a series from the Sustainable Residential Landscape Project, a study conducted in 2016 to address perceptions of landscapes in Florida, different factors that could influence the adoption of more sustainable landscape options, and ways to promote sustainable landscaping options.

Estimated Water Savings Potential of Florida-Friendly Landscaping Activities

Mackenzie Boyer and Michael Dukes

Interpretation of Soil Moisture Content to Determine Soil Field Capacity and Avoid Over-Irrigating Sandy Soils Using Soil Moisture Sensors

Lincoln Zotarelli, Michael D. Dukes, and Kelly T. Morgan

Drip Irrigation: The BMP Era—An Integrated Approach to Water and Fertilizer Management for Vegetables Grown with Plasticulture

Eric Simonne, David Studstill, Bob Hochmuth, Teresa Olczyk, Michael Dukes, Rafael Munoz-Carpena, and Yuncong Li

Step by Step Calculation of the Penman-Monteith Evapotranspiration (FAO-56 Method)

Lincoln Zotarelli, Michael D. Dukes, Consuelo C. Romero, Kati W. Migliaccio, Kelly T. Morgan

Provides a step-by-step calculation of the reference evapotranspiration (FAO-56 method) for a given location from the available weather data. Includes references.

Who Is Interested in Purchasing Smart Irrigation Systems?

Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Caroline R. Warwick, and Michael Dukes

Evapotranspiration-Based Irrigation for Agriculture: Crop Coefficients of Some Commercial Crops in Florida

Isaya Kisekka, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael D. Dukes, Jonathan H. Crane, Bruce Schaffer, Sandra M. Guzman, and Haimanote K. Bayabil

US Consumer Preferences for Home Lawn Fertilizers

Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, and Michael Dukes

Home Irrigation and Landscape Combinations for Water Conservation in Florida

Melissa B. Haley, Michael D. Dukes, Bernard Cardenas, Grady L. Miller, and Dorota Z. Haman

This publication summarizes a study whose objectives were to determine the amount of residential irrigation water use in central Florida, and to evaluate if combinations of irrigation scheduling and landscape/irrigation design could reduce irrigation water application. Written by Melissa B. Haley, Michael D. Dukes, Bernard Cardenas, Grady L. Miller, and Dorota Z. Haman, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised September 2024.

Summary of UF/IFAS Turf and Landscape Irrigation Recommendations

Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas

This publication discusses turfgrass and landscape irrigation recommendations from UF/IFAS. Written by Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised July 2024.

How to Conduct an On-Farm Dye Test to Improve Drip Irrigation Management in Vegetable Production

Eric Simonne, David Studstill, Michael Dukes, John Duval, Robert Hochmuth, Gene McAvoy, Teresa Olczyk, Steve Olson, Elizabeth Lamb, and Guodong Liu

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Commercial audience(s).

Floridian Households’ Perceptions of Florida-Friendly Landscapes

Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Xumin Zhang, and Michael Dukes

This report summarizes Floridian homeowners’ perceptions of Florida-Friendly Landscapes, which aim to reduce inputs and costs while improving environmental health. Written by Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Xumin Zhang, and Michael Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department, May 2021.

Microirrigation for Home Landscapes

Anne Yasalonis and Michael Dukes

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s). in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Urban Water

Methods to Quantify In-Field Nutrient Leaching

Bibek Acharya, Vivek Sharma, Charles Barrett, Sudeep Singh Sidhu, Lincoln Zotarelli, and Michael D. Dukes

This publication summarizes the basic concepts of three most-used NO3-N leaching quantification methods in field conditions. Written by Bibek Acharya, Vivek Sharma, Charles Barrett, Sudeep Singh Sidhu, Lincoln Zotarelli, and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, December 2022.

Evapotranspiration-Based Irrigation Scheduling for Agriculture

Isaya Kisekka, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael D. Dukes, Bruce Schaffer, Jonathan H. Crane, Haimanote K. Bayabil, and Sandra M. Guzman

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Agriculture Water

Smart Irrigation Controllers: Programming Guidelines for Evapotranspiration-Based Irrigation Controllers

Michael D. Dukes, Mary L. Shedd, and Stacia L. Davis

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Basic Tips for Designing Efficient Irrigation Systems

Haimanote K. Bayabil, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael Dukes, and Laura Vasquez

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Agriculture Water

Chapter 3. Principles and Practices of Irrigation Management for Vegetables

Lincoln Zotarelli, Michael D. Dukes, and Eric H. Simonne

Chapter 3 of the Vegetable Production Handbook of Florida

Frequency of Residential Irrigation Maintenance Problems

Thomas R. Olmsted, Michael D. Dukes, and Bernard Cardenas

This publication evaluates the frequency or number of times an irrigation maintenance problem occurs, as documented by Urban Mobile Irrigation Lab (UMIL) audits, and provides a list of the most common irrigation maintenance problems in residential irrigation systems. Written by Thomas R. Olmsted, Michael D. Dukes, and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

Automatic Irrigation Based on Soil Moisture for Vegetable Crops

Rafael Muñoz-Carpena, Michael D. Dukes, and Bernard Cardenas

Improving irrigation efficiency can contribute greatly to reducing production costs of vegetables, making the industry more competitive and sustainable. This publication is intended to help growers to conserve water through the use of soil moisture sensors. Written by Rafael Muñoz-Carpena, Michael D. Dukes, and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

Residential Irrigation System Rainfall Shutoff Devices, or Rain Sensors

Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas

This publication aims to provide basic information about rain sensors when incorporated into automatic irrigation systems. Written by Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised July 2024.

Net Irrigation Requirements for Florida Turfgrass Lawns: Part 3 — Theoretical Irrigation Requirements

Consuelo C. Romero, Bernard Cardenas, and Michael D. Dukes

The Net Irrigation Requirements for Florida Turfgrass Lawns series explains the process of estimating net irrigation requirements for Florida turfgrasses. The process used here gives a long-term (30-year) historical analysis of turfgrass monthly net irrigation requirements. This article outlines the results of the net irrigation estimation. Written by Consuelo C. Romero, Bernard Cardenas, and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

Net Irrigation Requirements for Florida Turfgrass Lawns: Part 1 — Report of Gathered Weather Data and Quality Check

Consuelo C. Romero, Bernard Cardenas, and Michael D. Dukes

The Net Irrigation Requirements for Florida Turfgrass Lawns series explains the process of estimating net irrigation requirements for Florida turfgrasses. The process used here gives a long-term (30-year) historical analysis of turfgrass monthly net irrigation requirements. This article explains how the weather data were gathered and checked for quality. Written by Consuelo C. Romero, Bernard Cardenas, and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

Urban Fertilizer Ordinances in the Context of Environmental Horticulture and Water Quality Extension Programs: Frequently Asked Questions

Michael D. Dukes, Lisa Krimsky, Mary Lusk, Laurie Trenholm, Bryan Unruh, Michelle Atkinson, Rao Mylavarapu, and Bernard Cardenas

The purpose of this document is to provide background information to all stakeholders—including scientists, legislators, local governments, landscape managers, Extension agents, Master Gardener Volunteers, homeowners, and the general public—on the underlying issues of fertilizer use, with an emphasis on an urban setting, and to outline the current state of the science on urban fertilizers and water quality in Florida. This information is presented in response to 12 frequently asked questions (FAQs) that also include discussion of several technological and regulatory solutions that have been adopted around the state. Written by Michael D. Dukes, Lisa Krimsky, Mary Lusk, Laurie Trenholm, Bryan Unruh, Michelle Atkinson, Rao Mylavarapu, and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

Effects of Urban Fertilizer Ordinances on Water Quality

Alexander J. Reisinger, Michael D. Dukes, Basil V. Iannone III, J. Bryan Unruh, and Samuel J. Smidt

Originating from environmental or humans sources, too much nitrogen (N) and/or phosphorus (P) in water bodies can degrade water quality. In an attempt to reduce the contribution of human sources of N and P to local waters, urban fertilizer ordinances have been adopted in at least 35 counties in Florida and 97 additional Florida municipalities. Despite this work, the efficacy of fertilizer ordinances are debated by end users. The purpose of this publication is to summarize a peer-reviewed, scientific article that investigated impacts of fertilizer on long-term water quality trends in Florida lakes (Smidt et al. 2022) and is intended to be used by UF/IFAS Extension faculty and/or regulatory officials considering adopting or modifying an urban fertilizer ordinance. We encourage green industry professionals and concerned community members to share the effectiveness of fertilizer ordinances.

Smart Irrigation Controllers: What Makes an Irrigation Controller Smart?

Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Smart Irrigation Controllers: Operation of Evapotranspiration-Based Controllers

Michael D. Dukes, Mary L. Shedd, and Stacia L. Davis

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for General Public and Commercial audience(s).

Fertilization and Irrigation Needs for Florida Lawns and Landscapes

R. Klein, A.J. Lindsey, M. McMillan, J. B. Unruh, and M.D. Dukes

Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Best Management Practices (BMPs) for management of commercial and residential lawns and landscapes were developed by scientists with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). These BMPs assist homeowners and professionals in making management choices that will help sustain lawns and landscapes in Florida without impairing Florida’s water resources.

Operation of Residential Irrigation Timers

Michael D. Dukes, Bernard Cardenas, and Dorota Z. Haman

The purpose of this publication is to familiarize irrigation managers, contractors, Extension agents, homeowners, and other interested persons with programming guidelines for an irrigation timer in Florida. Written by Michael D. Dukes, Bernard Cardenas, and Dorota Z. Haman, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised July 2024.

Estimating Benefits of Residential Outdoor Water Conservation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tatiana Borisova, Laura A. Warner, Weizhe Weng, Jennison Searcy, Anil Kumar Chaudhary, Michael Dukes

This article was developed to help Extension agents, water-conservation managers, and homeowners estimate the economic benefits of residential outdoor water conservation. It provides guidance for reporting benefits, including lowered utility bills for homeowners, reduced water-delivery costs for utilities, and increased water supply. This publication also offers an example of an impact statement.­

Using Economic Incentives to Encourage Sustainable Alternative Residential Landscaping Practices in Florida

Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Xumin Zhang, and Michael Dukes

This report is the third in a series from the Sustainable Residential Landscape Project. This report summarizes Floridian homeowners’ interest in and response to economic incentives to encourage the installation of more sustainable alternative residential landscapes based on a survey. Written by Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, Xumin Zhang, and Michael Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department, July 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions about Landscape Irrigation for Florida-Friendly Landscaping Ordinances

Michael D. Dukes, Bernard Cardenas, Laurie E. Trenholm, Ed Gilman, Chris J. Martinez, John L. Cisar, Thomas H. Yeager, Amy Shober, and Geoffrey Denny

Water quality and quantity are important issues. The frequently asked questions (FAQs) in this publication, based on extensive UF/IFAS research, address common concerns related to water, irrigation, fertilizers, best management practices (BMPs), landscapes, and landscape maintenance. Written by Michael D. Dukes, Bernard Cardenas, Laurie E. Trenholm, Ed Gilman, Chris J. Martinez, John L. Cisar, Thomas H. Yeager, Amy Shober, and Geoffrey Denny, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised September 2024.

Net Irrigation Requirements for Florida Turfgrass Lawns: Part 2 — Reference Evapotranspiration Calculation

Consuelo C. Romero, Bernard Cardenas, and Michael D. Dukes

This Net Irrigation Requirements for Florida Turfgrass Lawns series explains the process of estimating net irrigation requirements for Florida turfgrasses. The process used here gives a long-term (30-year) historical analysis of turfgrass monthly net irrigation requirements. This article shows the calculation of evapotranspiration for selected sites throughout the state (plus one in Alabama, to cover the west side of the Florida Panhandle). Written by Consuelo C. Romero, Bernard Cardenas, and Michael D. Dukes, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

Smart Irrigation Controllers: How Do Soil Moisture Sensor (SMS) Irrigation Controllers Work?

Michael D. Dukes, Mary Shedd, and Bernard Cardenas-Lailhacar

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for General Public audience(s).

Consejos basicos para diseñar sistemas eficientes de riego

Haimanote K. Bayabil, Kati W. Migliaccio, Michael Dukes, Laura Vasquez, y Carlos Balerdi

A UF/IFAS numbered Translation. Published by Agriculture Water

A 2021 Snapshot of Citizens’ Awareness and Understanding of Florida’s Irrigation Restrictions

Laura A. Warner, Michael D. Dukes, Nicholas W. Taylor, Deirdre Irwin, and James Harmon

A new 5-page UF/IFAS numbered publication of the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication. The information presented here is intended to inform water management district personnel, utility staff, public employees, and other educators and communicators who are charged with developing policies, promoting water use efficiency, and enforcing irrigation restrictions as a water conservation tool. Written by Laura A. Warner, Michael D. Dukes, Nicholas Taylor, Deirdre Irwin, and James Harmon.