Soil Salinity and Quality of Sprinkler and Drip Irrigated Warm‐Season Turfgrasses

Abstract

A study was conducted in New Mexico from 2005 to 2007 to investigate the effects of two potable water‐saving strategies, irrigating with saline water and using subsurface systems, on changes in rootzone salinity and quality of nine warm‐season turfgrasses. Plots were irrigated using either sprinklers or subsurface drip with water of 1 of 3 salinity levels (0.6, 2.0, and 3.5 dS m−1). Plots were rated monthly for quality during the growing seasons and bi‐annually for spring and fall color. Soil samples were collected bi‐annually (June and November) and analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC), Na, and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) at depths of 0 to 20 and 50 to 60 cm. Electrical conductivity and Na values in 0 to 20 cm peaked in June of 2005 and 2006 and dropped to lower levels after the summer rainy season. With the exception of moderately saline irrigated plots in 2005, summer EC did not differ between drip and sprinkler irrigated plots for any of the three water qualities. Electrical conductivity, Na, and SAR at a rootzone depth of 0 to 20 cm were highest in June 2006 reaching 4.7 dS m−1, 1024 mg L−1, and 16.1, respectively. For most of the grasses tested, EC, Na, or SAR values showed no significant relationship with turf quality. Drip irrigation resulted in earlier green‐up than sprinkler irrigation but had no effect on summer quality or fall color retention. Most of the warm season grasses included in this study maintained an acceptable quality level when drip‐irrigated with saline water.

Soil Salinity of an Urban Park after Long‐Term Irrigation with Saline Ground Water

“…Detailed information on soil properties, irrigation water salinity and sodicity, irrigation system uniformity and irrigation amounts for these research reports are listed in Table 2. The range of values reported in these studies underscores how numerous factors, such as climate and irrigation (precipitation, leaching fraction), soil type and original soil salinity, salinity of irrigation water, and system distribution uniformity, all influence and contribute to changes in soil salinity following irrigation with saline water (Devitt et al, 2007;Ganjegunte et al, 2013;Qian and Mecham, 2005;Schiavon et al, 2014;Sevostianova et al, 2011aSevostianova et al, , 2011bThomas et al, 2006). Developing appropriate salinity management and remediation strategies requires detailed information on the distribution of salinity (EC e ) within the turf root zone.…”

“…Water sample analyses indicated that irrigation water although saline (C3-S1 as per Richards, 1954) was of relatively better quality (lower salinity and sodicity) than the salinity values reported for other ground waters in the area used for irrigation (Schiavon et al, 2014;Sevostianova et al, 2011aSevostianova et al, , 2011b. The Chamizal Memorial is located on the Rio Grande river flood plain and ground water is derived from freshwater zone of the Rio Grande Aquifer.…”

“…Several studies have investigated spatial and temporal changes in soil salinity, particularly during the fi rst 3 to 5 yr aft er irrigation with saline or reused water has been initiated (Ganjegunte et al, 2013;Schiavon et al, 2014;Sevostianova et al, 2011aSevostianova et al, , 2011bTh omas et al, 2006). Th omas et al (2006) and Schiavon et al (2014) reported an increase in soil salinity but only to the levels that were not detrimental to the turf stand.…”

“…Th omas et al (2006) and Schiavon et al (2014) reported an increase in soil salinity but only to the levels that were not detrimental to the turf stand. Sevostianova et al (2011aSevostianova et al ( , 2011b described changes in soil salinity that followed a cyclical pattern between summer and winter but reported no overall increase in salinity aft er 3 yr due to the sandy nature of the soil.…”

Plant Growth Regulator and Soil Surfactants’ Effects on Saline and Deficit Irrigated Warm‐Season Grasses: I. Turf Quality and Soil Moisture

“…Based on these studies, the logical conclusion would be that warm-season grasses should be grown in areas affected by drought and where the use of saline water for irrigation is encouraged. Until recently, the use of warm-season grasses in transition zone climates had been difficult because their growing season barely exceeds 6 mo (Sevostianova et al, 2011b). However, a shorter growing season and the associated shorter irrigation period results in less water needed to maintain turf areas.…”