• J. D. Oster
• J. van Schilfgaarde
• D. Russo

Crop water requirement and irrigation water quality are two primary parameters that have to be considered in order to ensure proper water management for salinity control. Correct irrigation restores the soil water deficit and avoids the application of a wasteful and potentially harmful excess. Some excess water (irrigation plus rainfall) is needed to control soil salinity. Soluble salts contained in irrigation water are concentrated in the soil solution as a result of soil evaporation and plant transpiration. When more water is applied than is used during a crop season and adequate drainage exists, net water movement is downward and salts are leached from the root zone.