Salinity Assessment Using Electromagnetic Method and Salinity Management through the Use of Organic Polymers in Irrigated Cotton Fields in the Far West Texas.

Salinity continues to be a major constraint faced by irrigated agriculture in the far west Texas. The region is witnessing rapid population and economic growth and consequently urban water users are competing with agricultural users for freshwater. With the reduced availability of freshwater, cotton growers in the region have already started using waters with moderate salinity for irrigation. Most of the cotton is grown on valley soils, which are characterized by heavy textured clayey soils. Continued use of irrigation water with elevated salinity on clayey soils has resulted in accumulation of salts and already affecting cotton growth. Understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of soil salinity is necessary for developing effective salinity management practices to improve soil conditions and productivity of irrigated agriculture. Conventional methods of assessing soil salinity at a high spatial resolution are expensive and time consuming. Electromagnetic induction method can offer a rapid and inexpensive alternative method to assess salinity in irrigated fields. This project evaluated the use of Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) method to assess salinity distribution in irrigated fields and effects of different polymers to improve soil permeability to manage salinity. The outcomes of the this project can significantly decrease operating costs and increase profits of cotton growers in the region, and protect precious natural resources such as soil and groundwater.