Research > Water Resources and Salinity Management Research Program

Evaluation of Sulfur Burner for Salinity Management in Irrigated Cotton Fields in Far West Texas.

Salinity and sodicity are dual problems affecting soil productivity, lint yield, and fiber quality in the irrigated Pima cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fields in Far West Texas. This field study evaluated the effects of S burner-treated and blended irrigation water on the sodicity and salinity levels of the root zone, cotton lint yield, and fiber quality. Results indicated that pre-study soil salinity and sodicity exceeded the threshold levels in many areas within the 9.2-ha study site. One year of irrigation with S burner-treated water resulted in:

• 19% reduction in the salinity of the upper 0- to 30-cm depth
• Redistribution of salts at deeper depths
• The decrease in the average sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of the study site. Soils decreased by 3 to 5% at 0- to 15-, 30- to 45-, and 45- to 60-cm depths
• The reduction in the SAR range for 15- to 30- and 60- to 75-cm depths indicated a redistribution of Na
• Irrigation with S burner-treated blended water increased annual cotton lint yield by 20% compared with the long-term average and fiber quality improved
• However, 1 yr of irrigation with S burner-treated water did not reduce the maximum soil salinity and SAR values below the threshold levels at different depths.

Multi-year studies are needed to confirm our results and quantify the duration required to restore soil quality, cotton yield, and fiber quality.

Fact Sheets:

• Evaluation of Sulfur Burner for Salinity Management in Irrigated Cotton Fields

Salinity Assessment and Management at Coronado Country Club Golf Course

The Coronado Country Club has been irrigated with treated urban wastewater for 20 years. In recent years, turf-grass areas in the park have severely degraded, and bare spots have developed. Root zone salinity and sodicity are likely the main reasons for the poor turf conditions. Developing appropriate salinity management and remediation strategies to improve turf quality requires detailed information on the distribution of salinity within the turf root zone. Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) uses apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) to delineate salinity distribution and is reportedly superior to traditional wet chemistry analyses. We are investigating the spatial distribution of soil salinity and sodicity using the EMI technique. Finally, we are assessing irrigation distribution uniformity and comparing findings with root zone salinity and sodicity.

Fact Sheets:

• Soil Salinity Assessment Using Electromagnetic Induction

Diversifying the Water Portfolio for Agriculture in the Rio Grande Basin

This multi-location, year, and discipline study is evaluating the performance of different salt and drought tolerant crops under irrigation with alternative water sources.  The ongoing climatic variabilities such as warmer temperatures and drought are challenging the viability of irrigated agriculture in the arid and semi-arid southwestern United States. Especially, in the Middle Rio Grande Basin, parts of southeastern New Mexico, and West Texas, where agriculture is dependent on irrigation water availability. The primary source of fresh water for irrigation is the Rio Grande River. However, the recent hot and dry climate reduced the snow pack which feeds the river, decreasing freshwater for agriculture. The drought caused the abandonment of crops such as cotton which require large irrigated areas, and instead, growers are using whatever water is available to maintain perennial crops such as alfalfa, and pecans (Wangenh.) (K. Koch).

As the largest city in Far West Texas, El Paso has a population of about 700,000, and treats approximately 76 billion liters of municipal wastewater annually. This wastewater is treated and is practically drinking water standard but has higher plant nutrient concentrations and coliforms. Most of the city’s wastewater treatment plants are located along the Rio Grande irrigation canal system which already supplies water to agriculture fields, so the infrastructure for distributing this reclaimed water is already in place.

Historically only about 13% of treated or reclaimed water has been reused, and therefore, there is an excellent opportunity for expanding its use. Major quality concerns associated with using El Paso city reclaimed water is the elevated salinity (about 2.5 dS m-1) and sodicity (SAR of 9 mmol1/2 L-1/2).

However, reclaimed water use for irrigation may be preferable during extreme drought for growing drought hardy crops.  Our goal is to develop management practices to facilitate the use of marginal water to supplement surface water especially in droughts.

Fact Sheets:

• Alternative Water Sources for Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture
• Beneficial Uses of Reject Water from Electric Cooling Towers
• Developing Alternative Waters to Diversify Crops and Water Portfolio in the Rio Grand Basin
• Nutrients Recovery from Belt Press Filtrate Wastewater
• Salinity and Sodicity Assessment by EMI at Chamizal Memorial
• Soil Salinity Management Using Synthetic Organic Polymer

Sustainable Water Resources for Irrigated Agriculture in a Desert River Basin facing Climate Change and Competing Demands.

El Paso County, located in Far West Texas, is experiencing record water shortages due to prolonged drought conditions. County irrigation district caters to about 24,000 ha and of which about 6000 ha is under pecans, a water-intensive tree crop. The current method of basin/flood irrigation has resulted in reduced water use efficiency and often leads in over irrigation and the waste of precious freshwater. This study is evaluating the potential for freshwater conservation by improved irrigation methods such as drip and surge-furrow irrigation based on real-time soil moisture data while maintaining pecan yields without adversely affecting root-zone soil salinity.

Fact Sheets:

• On-Farm Irrigation Scheduling Tools to Improve Water Use Efficiency
• Irrigation Water Use Efficiency and Salinity in Pecan Fields under Different Irrigation Methods