Using saline groundwater for large-scale development and irrigation of pistachios interplanted with cotton
2010
Sanden, B L | Ferguson, L | Corwin, D | Kallsen, C
A nine-year small-scale trial (ending 2002) in the southern San Joaquin Valley found that established pistachios can tolerate an irrigation water salinity up to 8 dS/m (similar to cotton) without a reduction in yield. In 2004, a shallow subsurface drip tape system was installed in two 155 acre fields to irrigate future pistachio tree rows 22 feet apart with 4 rows of cotton interplanted on 38 inch beds. Replicated 19.5 acre blocks were arranged to test plant response to fresh (canal) water, blend and saline well water treatments with EC of 0.5, 3.0 and 5.4 dS/m and boron @ 0.3, 6 and 11 ppm, respectively. Fresh water was used to germinate cotton, which was planted in 2004, 5 and 6. Pistachios were planted in 2005. Cotton yields were unaffected by salinity, until 2006; showing a half bale loss for the well water (3.12 bale/ac) compared to the canal water (3.68 bale/ac). Pistachio growth is unaffected by salinity after 3 years
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