Evaluating Effects of Anionic, Cationic and Non-Ionic Polymers On Salinity of Fine Texture Cotton Soils in the Far West Texas.

West Texas is witnessing rapid population and economic growth resulting in increased competition for freshwater. Cotton growers in the region have already started using moderately saline water for irrigation due to limited freshwater availability. 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 beyond the threshold limits of cotton crop. The cost of on-farm salinity management has been increasing with continued use of water with elevated salts concentrations. Cotton production in the region will be adversely affected if salinity problems are not managed. Salinity of shallow groundwater is also affected by the leaching of salts below the rootzone. It is important to understand the fate of salts leached from cotton fields and the potential for groundwater salinization. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop low cost salinity assessment, on-farm salinity management practices and to assess potential for groundwater salinization to ensure long-term sustainability of cotton production in the region. The main goal of the proposed project is to ensure long-term sustainability of cotton production in the region. The specific objectives of the project are to: (i) evaluate the potential of the electromagnetic (EM) technique to determine spatial distribution of soil salinity in selected cotton fields; (ii) develop cost effective on-farm salinity management practices through the use of organic polymers to improve soil structural stability and hydraulic properties; and (iii) understand fate of salts leached below effective root zones in the cotton fields to assess potential for groundwater salinization. The outcomes of the proposed project can significantly decrease operating costs and increase profits of cotton growers in the region, while protecting precious natural resources such as soil and groundwater.