Assessing irrigation/drainage/salinity management using spatially referenced salinity measurements

A unique technology-package for measuring the spatial distributions of salinity in irrigated soils and fields and for evaluating the appropriateness of some related irrigation-, drainage-and salinity control-management practices is described. This assessment technology is based on the use of: (1) geophysical-instrumental systems for intensively measuring bulk soil electrical conductivity and associated spatial coordinates; (2) statistical algorithms for site selection and salinity calibration; and (3) algorithms for data analysis and graphical display to facilitate interpretation. Results are presented to demonstrate some of the utility of the technology. Additionally, examples are given which show that much of the apparent chaos observed in the spatial pattern of soil salinity in irrigated fields is man-induced and related to such management practices as irrigation, drainage, and tillage. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.