Abstract |
Two field experiments were conducted in southwest Arizona to investigate the potential of reducing the salt load in irrigation return flow by decreased leaching. Three leaching treatments of 5, 10, and 20%, replicated nine times for citrus and five times for alfalfa, were established and compared with conventional flood irrigation management. Annual evapotranspiration of mature Valencia orange trees was 1470 mm. During the first four years, the leaching treatments did not influence fruit yield or quality or tree growth. During the last year, however, the yield of the 5% leaching treatment was substantially lower than the other treatments. Both experiments verified that water applications could be reduced substantially below average commercial practice without loss of crop yield. |