Preliminary Appraisal of East Central South Dakota Soils for Irrigation Development

摘要

The water moving capacity of glacial till substrata underlying soils otherwise suitable for irrigation may limit the drainage requirements necessary to maintain productive agriculture. Data is available on the root zone salinity of irrigated fields. This study looked at both the amount of leaching taking place on irrigated land and compares it to nonirrigated land. The chemical profiles investigated indicate the salt applied by irrigation is stored in the profile. Field measurements of root zone soil moisture indicate little deep percolation occurs during the irrigation season. The data collected to date indicate vertical movements of excess precipitation during times of low evaporative demand have moved the salts below the root zone.