:: ITRC Projects ::
Salinity
Salt accumulation in the soil is a
serious concern in regions with little annual rainfall,
because salts are not regularly leached during the rainy
season. High concentrations of salinity can affect
crop growth and yield. In orchards, salinity
build-up becomes particularly important when trees are
removed and the field is replanted. Return flows
from irrigation contribute to salinity problems in
rivers and sloughs.
ITRC has provided valuable guidance to many entities
on solutions to salinity problems in rivers, fields, and
crop applications. For example, on behalf of the
California Department of Water Resources, Water
Conservation Office (DWR), and the California State
University Agricultural Research Initiative (CSU/ARI),
ITRC conducted several studies dealing with salt
accumulation in the root zones of trees and row crops
that have been irrigated with drip or micro-spray
irrigation systems. These studies led to the
creation of a new reclamation leaching technique
consisting of multiple lines of drip tape used to apply
water to the area of salinity accumulation.
Click here for more
information on these studies.