Soil salinization and sodication from alternate irrigations with saline-sodic water and simulated rain

We conducted a greenhouse study on large, semi-disturbed soil cores excavated from the vicinity of Verdigris Lake in southern Alberta to assess the suitability of different saline-sodic waters for irrigation. Soil salinization and sodication, surface soil physical properties, and yield of five soft white spring wheat crops (Triticum aestivum L., var. AC Reed) were examined under alternate applications of simulated rain with saline-sodic irrigation waters ranging from "safe" to "potentially hazardous" for irrigation. Increased salinity and sodicity of irrigation waters alternated with simulated rain resulted in increased salinity and sodicity in the upper 0.60 to 0.90 in of the soil. Salt accumulation in the root zone decreased as the leaching fraction increased. Aggregate stability and infiltration properties of the soil were generally adversely affected by the more saline and sodic irrigation waters. Infiltration properties were significantly greater with irrigation water (IW) than with distilled water (DW). The soil infiltration rate at 2 h, with DW as the infiltrating water, was the most sensitive soil physical property for assessment of irrigation water suitability. The infiltration test after five crop cycles gave a better indication of the effects of excess sodicity of irrigation water on soil structural stability than the aggregate stability test. The cumulative effects of long-term supplemental irrigation with saline-sodic waters on soil chemical and physical properties need to be considered when assessing irrigation water suitability. Irrigation waters with electrical conductivity (EC) less than or equal to 1 dS m(-1) and a sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) less than or equal to 5 did not result in deterioration of soil physical properties and were considered "safe" for supplemental irrigation of the Masinasin soil. Alternate applications of irrigation and distilled water should be used to evaluate soil infiltration rates and the structural stability of soils to which saline-sodic waters are to be applied.