A Stochastic Dominance Comparison of Water‐Conserving Irrigation Strategies

Abstract

Abstract Stochastic dominance and stochastic dominance with respect to a function are used to compare water‐conserving irrigation strategies in an area of declining ground water supplies. A computerized grain sorghum plant growth model using daily weather observations provides the basis for stochastic dominance comparisons. Six irrigation strategies dominate contemporary intensive irrigation practices by first‐degree stochastic dominance and two additional strategies exhibit second‐degree stochastic dominance over contemporary practices. Dominant strategies involve irrigating based on a 45 percent soil water criterion and eliminating early season irrigations. Some dominant strategies reduce water use by as much as 40 percent while increasing expected net returns.