Alejandro Andrade-Rodriguez

Photo of Alejandro Andrade-Rodriguez, Extension

Alejandro Andrade-Rodriguez

Assistant Professor

Summary

My research interests are focused on improving the management of irrigation water resources used in arid and semi-arid regions through the application of advanced engineering methods and technologies. Some of the topics I’m interested in are:

  • Precision irrigation (apply variable amounts of water to fields based on individual crop water needs)
  • Irrigation scheduling (determine when, how much, and where to irrigate)
  • Application of artificial intelligence and optimization methods for the solution of complex problems in water and irrigation management
  • Development of easy-to-use Decision Support Systems that help farmers to reduce water use while maintaining yields

Education

B.S. Universidad Autonoma Chapingo, 2007
M.S. University of Arizona, 2011
Ph.D. University of Arizona, 2013

Honors and Awards

  • Awarded Excellence in Technology Transfer Award from United States Federal Laboratory Consortium (2020)
  • Awarded Technology Focus Award from United States Federal Laboratory Consortium (2020)
  • Awarded Vanguard Award from Irrigation Association (2020)

News & Journal Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...

Book Chapter(s)
Deficit irrigation and site-specific irrigation scheduling techniques to minimize water use. O’Shaughnessy, S., and Andrade, M. 2018, In Oweis, T. (Ed.), Water management for sustainable agriculture. Cambridge, UK: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.
Fact Sheets
sorghum fallon nevada
Sorghum Production in Nevada
This fact sheet aims to educate it's readers on sorghum as an alternative crop for Nevada, varieties of sorghum, and key considerations for the production of sorghum crops.
 Walia, M., Yerka, M., Washington-Allen, R., Andrade-Rodriguez, M., and McCuin, G. 2021, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-09
Journals
Leaf Area Index Estimation of Fully and Deficit Irrigated Alfalfa through Canopy Cover and Canopy Height
Measuring Leaf Area Index (LAI) requires specialized and expensive equipment. On the other hand, canopy cover (CC) and height (CH) measurements can be obtained using mobile devices and a ruler. The objective of this study was to determine the relationships between LAI, CC and CH for fully and deficit-irrigated alfalfa.
 Cholula, U., Andrade, M.A., and J.K.Q. Solomon 2024, AgriEngineering 2024, 6(3), 2101-2114
The Essential Role of Local Context in Shaping Risk and Risk Reduction Strategies for Snowmelt-Dependent Irrigated Agriculture
Even as some supply-side adaptations diminish, we show that many local areas could manage risk by implementing routine changes in demand. This is particularly true for areas in the intermountain west including Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.
 Gordon, B.L., Boisrame, G.F.S., Carroll, R.W.H., Ajami, N.K., Leonard, B., Albano, C., Mizukami, N., Andrade, M.A., Koebele, E., Taylor, M.H., and Harpold, AA 2024, Earth's Future, Volume12, Issue 6, e2024EF004577
Machine Learning Approach for the Estimation of Alfalfa Hay Crop Yield in Northern Nevada Quintero, D. D., Andrade-Rodriguez, M. A., Cholula, U. & Solomon, J. A 2023, AgriEngineering 5(4), 1943–1954
Forecasting of canopy temperatures using machine learning algorithms Manuel A Andrade, Susan A. O’Shaughnessy, Steven R. Evett 2022, Journal of the ASABE. 66(2): 297-305
Solar node and gateway wireless system functions in record breaking polar vortex outbreak of February 2021. Evett, S. R., Thompson, A., I., Schomberg, H. H., Andrade-Rodriguez, M. A., & Anderson, J. 2021, Agrosystems Geosciences & Environment, 4(4)
Comparison of precision and conventional irrigation management of cotton and impact of soil texture. Vories, E., O’Shaughnessy, S., Sudduth, K., Evett, S., Andrade-Rodriguez, M., & Drummond, S. 2021, Precision Agriculture, 22, pages414–431
Using an integrated crop water stress index for irrigation scheduling of two corn hybrids in a semi-arid region. O’Shaughnessy, S., Andrade, M., Evett, S. 2017, Irrigation Science, 31(5), 451–467
Mixing at junctions in distribution systems: an experimental study. Song, I., Romero-Gomez, P., Andrade, M., Mondaca, M., Choi, C. 2017, Urban Water Journal, 9006, 1–7
Enhanced Artificial Neural Networks Estimating Water Quality Constraints for the Optimal Water Distribution Systems Design. Andrade, M., Choi, C., Lansey, K., Jung, D. 2016, Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 142(9).
Lay or Popular Publications
An Irrigation Scheduling SCADA System. O’Shaughnessy, S., Andrade, M., Evett, S., Colaizzi, P.. 2016, Resource Magazine, 23(4), 10-11