Managing irrigation and soil salinity

Summary

Don Suarez addressed the suitability of irrigation water and problems associated with sodicity using research from the USA. He demonstrated how simulation models can be used to predict the effects of irrigation water on soil salinity and sodicity. He also highlighted the potential to map soil problems and to show how management practices can overcome sodicity in some situations.

Research findings

Don Suarez addressed the suitability of irrigation water and problems associated with sodicity using research from the USA. The widespread use of groundwater for irrigation and its long-term consequences is also an important issue in Australian agriculture. The interplay between wetting and drying cycles in irrigated land influences the conditions of the soil for plant growth, nutrient availability and soil physical conditions that sustain the soil in a suitable state for agricultural production. The research demonstrated how simulation models can be used by scientists to predict the likely effects of irrigation water from different sources on soil salinity and sodicity. It also highlighted the potential to integrate cutting edge information from geology and soil science for mapping soil problems and to show how management practices, including the application of gypsum, can overcome sodicity in some situations.

Reference

Suarez D (2006) Keynote Presentation at the Combined National Conference on Soils, Adelaide, Dec 2006.
 

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