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Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Dr. Michael Dukes

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.

Contact Information

mddukes@ufl.edu

352-294-6720

Mailing Address:
2140 NW Waldo Rd, Bldg. 1603
P.O. Box 110675
Gainesville, FL 32609

  • Research

    Departmental Research Areas:

    • Land and Water Resources Engineering

    Research Focus:

    • Assessment of irrigation conservation program effectiveness in Orange County, FL
    • Development of irrigation conservation programs in Southwest Florida
    • Influence of irrigation and fertility Best Management Practices on nitrogen leaching on sandy soils
    • Education on efficient irrigation and water conservation potential of smart irrigation controllers
  • Education
    • Ph.D North Carolina State University, 2000
    • M.C.E. University of Delaware
    • B.A.S. University of Delaware
  • Professional Experience
    • 2019 - Present
      Director, Center for Land Use Efficiency
    • 2012 - 2013
      Interim Chair, Environmental Horticulture
    • 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
  • Publications
  • Videos

    Watch the full Irrigation Research YouTube playlist for the latest information on irrigation controller research at the University of Florida

  • Awards and Honors
    • 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
    • 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
    • Alpha Epsilon Honor Society
    • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
    • Gamma Sigma Delta Agricultural Honor Society
  • Other Professional Activities
    • American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
    • National Society of Professional Engineers
    • American Society of Civil Engineers, Environmental Water Resources Institute