Professor, Irrigation Director, UF/IFAS Center for Land Use Efficiency
Professional Engineer P.E. Fellow, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Fellow, Environmental and Water Institute of American Society of Civil Engineers
Michael Dukes is an irrigation specialist focusing on efficient use of water in irrigated systems. What does that mean? High-quality water such as potable water in municipal systems such as at homes and businesses or water from the Floridan aquifer in the case of agriculture is often used for irrigation. According to the U. S. Geological Service, Floridians used about 6.4 billion gallons of water a day in 2012. Thirty-nine percent is used for agricultural irrigation and 36% for public supply; however, it is projected that public use will exceed agricultural use in the near future. Due to the need for adequate water to produce food and satisfy domestic uses including landscape irrigation, it is important to maximize the efficient use of water. Dukes and his team are conducting research on high tech irrigation controllers that apply water based on measurements from landscapes. These so-called “smart irrigation controllers” are saving millions of gallons of water each year in Florida and are being adopted across the U.S. Dukes is often consulted by utilities, decision makers, and groups such as the U.S. EPA WaterSense program for technical knowledge on this subject. Similarly, Dukes and his team are using real-time soil moisture sensor readings to linear move variable rate irrigation on corn and peanut to reduce excess water use and potential for nonpoint source pollution.
Dukes’ team regularly publishes in top journals in the field as well as a variety of industry trade outlets. They also publish peer-reviewed extension publications in the UF-IFAS Electronic Document Information System (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_a63769910). They have shown that properly implemented smart controllers can reduce over-irrigation of real-world landscapes by nearly 50%.
Dukes is also the Director of the Center for Land Use Efficiency. He leads a multidisciplinary group of faculty whose mission is to conduct interdisciplinary research and provide science-based education on urban landscape practices to protect and conserve Florida's natural resources.
2011 - Present Professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida Director for the Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology
2006 - 2011 Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida
2000 - 2006 Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida
1998 - 2000 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University
1998 Graduate Teaching Instructor, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University
American Society of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Environmental & Water Resources Institute, Royce J. Tipton Award, 2023
Recognizing contributions to the advancement of irrigation and drainage engineering.
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Superior Paper Award, 2021
For “Innovative Extension Methods in the U.S. to Promote Irrigation Water Management”, authored by D. R. Rudnick, M. Stockton, S. Taghvaeian, J. Warren, M. D. Dukes, A. Kremen, C. G. Henry, J. Aguilar, B. Ortiz, A. Andales, C. A. Burr, X. Qiao, W. Liang, S. Walthour, S. H. Amosson.
American Water Works Association, Water Conservation Division best paper award, 2021
For “Long-term performance of smart irrigation controllers on single-family homes with excess irrigation”
Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents, Extension Specialist of the Year, 2021
FNGLA Friend of the Industry Award, 2019
An individual outside the Association that has contributed immensely to the advancement or improvement of Florida’s nursery and landscape industry.
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Evelyn E. Rosentreter Standards Award, 2019
Recognizes members who have made exceptional contributions toward the generation, maintenance and administration of ASABE standards, Award Details (ASABE)
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Heermann Sprinkler Irrigation Award, 2019
Encourages and recognizes engineering excellence in the design, evaluation, operation or management of sprinkler irrigation systems that effectively conserve our valuable resources, Award Details (ASABE).
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Educational Aids Blue Ribbon award, 2019
For “Florida Fertilizer Ordinance Mobile Web App Matches Work Locations to Applicable Regulations”.
University of Florida IFAS Extension James App Award for Outstanding Extension Team, 2018
For “Florida Statewide Water Savings Success Team”.
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Educational Aids Blue Ribbon award, 2018
For “Florida Friendly Landscape (FFL) Water Savings Impact”.
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Outstanding Associate Editor Award, 2018
University of Florida, Term Professorship Award, 2017
Awarded to tenure track faculty members to recognize recent contributions and provide incentives for continued excellence.
American Society of Civil Engineers, Environmental Water Resources Institute, Elected to Grade of Fellow, 2017
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Elected to Grade of Fellow, 2017
ASABE defines a Fellow as a member of unusual professional, with outstanding and extraordinary qualifications and experience in or related to, the field of agricultural, food, or biological engineering, Award Details (ASABE)
Journal American Water Works Association Best Water Conservation Division paper award, 2017
For Boyer, M.J., M.D. Dukes, L.J. Young, and C. Wang. 2016. Mining for Water: Using billing data to characterize residential irrigation demand. J. AWWA 108(11):E585-E597.
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, John Deere Gold Medal, 2016
Recognizing distinguished achievement in the application of science and art to the soil, this award honors engineering ways and means for improved manipulation, use and conservation of soil and water resources, Award Details (ASABE
UF Water Institute Fellow, 2015 - 2018
Recognizes University of Florida faculty who are making outstanding research, extension, or education contributions in water programs that further UF’s interdisciplinary communities of science in water, Award Details (UF Water Institute)
Irrigation Foundation Excellence in Education Award, 2014
For helping supply the irrigation industry with educated professionals that provide efficient irrigation solutions that protect water and the environment.
UF-IFAS Christine Taylor Waddill Extension Professional and Enhancement Award, 2014
Provides a term professorship and program support for the promotion of outstanding educational programs and demonstration of scholarship in Extension.
UF-IFAS Wells Fargo Extension Professional Award/Program Enhancement Grant, 2013
For a distinguished record of Extension programming and who has implemented creative, innovative educational programs and educational products.
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering Best Paper Award, 2013
For Zotarelli, L., M. D. Dukes, J. M. Scholberg, K. Femminella, and R. Muñoz-Carpena. 2011. Irrigation scheduling of green bell pepper using capacitance soil moisture sensors. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering 137(2):73-81.
UF-IFAS Art Hornsby Distinguished Extension Professional, 2012
Award for outstanding success in motivating people to acquire knowledge, skills and understanding towards the improvement of agricultural operations.
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Young Extension Worker Award, 2011
This award recognizes outstanding success in motivating people to acquire knowledge, skills and understanding to improve agricultural operations. Award Details (ASABE)
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Educational Aids Blue Ribbon Award, 2010
University of Florida Research Foundation Professorship, 2010–2012
Award acknowledges distinguished current research program over the most recent five years. Details at Award Details (UF Research)
Soil and Water Conservation Society, Best Paper Research Award for Impact and Quality of a Paper Published between 2005 and 2009; 2010
For authoring the following: Gregory, J. H.1, M. D. Dukes, P. H. Jones, and G. L. Miller. 2006. Effect of urban soil compaction on infiltration rate for low impact development. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 61(3):117–124.
Florida Section Young Engineer, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), 2009
Outstanding Service Award, ASABE Florida Section, 2007
Outstanding Reviewer Award, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), 2007
Young Researcher Award, American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) - Florida Section, 2005
