Effect of Dikes and Sulfuric Acid on Cotton Under Effluent Irrigation

Abstract

Extensive efforts are being undertaken to improve effluent use in arid zones with alkaline soils. This type of soil (loess) is mainly found in the southern parts of Israel with a relatively large amount of water loss due to runoff generation. The possibility of decreasing runoff, soil erosion, improving water intake rate, and obtaining economic cotton yields is examined in a series of field experiments. Various combinations of dike construction between cotton rows and sulfuric acid application rates are examined. The acid treatment improves water intake and cotton yield more significantly than that of the dikes, under sprinkler and trickle irrigation systems.