Effect of irrigation with saline water on soil properties and salinization of perennial pasture soils.

Abstract

Pasture grown on a Lemnos loam soil type, a typical red-brown earth, was irrigated with saline water of about 100, 300, 700, 1500 and 3000 mg/ litre total soluble salt. Salt accumulated in the soil during the irrigation season and was partly leached by winter rainfall. Gypsum applied annually at 5 t/ha increased infiltration of irrigation water and salt accumulation, but it also substantially enhanced leaching during winter and spring. After 4 years the soil salinities were approaching equilibrium. Any deleterious effect of sodium on physical properties was offset by the presence of electrolytes which did not leach to critical levels in winter because of low average rainfall and low soil hydraulic conductivity.