Salts that accumulate near the soil surface with subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) are often redistributed due to tillage in preparation for the next crop. If SDI is used for irrigation following direct-seeding, these salts will be transported toward the soil surface. This salt accumulation can hinder germination and lead to high mortality of sensitive and moderately sensitive crops. Predicting salt movement and distribution with SDI would allow producers to anticipate the need for sprinkler irrigation for salt control. Hydrus 2-D was used to model salt accumulation from an SDI system on two successive crops of cantaloupe and broccoli with two depths of SDI tubing placement (18 and 25 cm), different germination practices (germination with SDI and with sprinklers), and two water salinities (1.6 and 2.5 dS m-1). Model simulations were compared with field data. Comparison of model simulations and field data showed high correlation. Thus, modeling may allow prediction of salt accumulation before planting.
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