Alfalfa production using saline drainage water
Date
2007-10
Authors
Ayars, James E., author
Soppe, Richard W., author
Shouse, Peter, author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
A three year study investigated the use of saline (< 6 dS/m) drainage water for irrigation of salt tolerant alfalfa in the presence of a shallow saline groundwater. The three irrigation treatments included; irrigating with non-saline water, irrigating twice with moderately saline water between cuttings, and irrigating once between cuttings with moderately saline water. Yield data demonstrated that there was approximately a 30% reduction in total yield as a result of using the saline water for irrigation compared to irrigating with the non-saline water. The overall alfalfa quality was improved using saline water. However, there was an accumulation of boron and chloride in the plant tissue with time during each growing season when irrigating with saline water. The boron and chloride values returned to previous levels at the start of the next growing season. There was accumulation of salt in the soil profile and in a shallow groundwater as a result of using saline drainage water for irrigation. A gradual decrease in depth to the shallow groundwater was observed as result of the lack of drainage capability.
Description
Presented at the Role of irrigation and drainage in a sustainable future: USCID fourth international conference on irrigation and drainage on October 3-6, 2007 in Sacramento, California.