ARS | Publication request: Irrigation of forage crops with saline drainage waters: Volumetric lysimeter studies and modeling of root water uptake and drainage

Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: January 5, 2007
Publication Date: March 29, 2007
Citation: Skaggs, T.H. 2007. Irrigation of forage crops with saline drainage waters: Volumetric lysimeter studies and modeling of root water uptake and drainage. American Chemical Society National Meeting, Chicago, IL Mar 25-29, 2007. Paper No. SUST92

Technical Abstract: Where fresh water sources are limited, agriculture is increasingly considering the use of degraded or reclaimed waters for irrigation. Scientific and economic questions remain about the suitability of different waters, soils, and crops for water reuse operations. Modeling could potentially accelerate the development of optimal management practices, but data are lacking about the accuracy of simulated root water uptake under soil conditions encountered in reuse operations. We report results from recent lysimeter studies involving the production of forage crops (alfalfa and tall wheatgrass) using synthetic saline agricultural drainage waters. Root water uptake and drainage data were evaluated against a numerical simulation model (HYDRUS). Good agreement was obtained between the model and the data using a single set of salinity and water stress parameters for each crop. However, the required salinity and water stress parameters did not correspond to published salt tolerance data for these crops.