Best Management Practices for Saline and Sodic Turfgrass Soils: Assessment and Reclamation

Best Management Practices for Saline and Sodic Turfgrass Soils: Assessment and Reclamation

Robert N. Carrow, University of Georgia, Griffin, USA; Ronny R. Duncan, Turf Ecosystems, LLC, Boerne, Texas, USA

ISBN: 9781439814741
Publication Date: September 12, 2011
Number of Pages: 480
Binding(s): Hardback

Features
• Provides best management practices addressing site assessment and site management for each type of saline and sodic problem affecting turfgrass performance
• Identifies BMPs including irrigation system design, irrigation scheduling and salinity leaching, amendments, cultivation, topdressing, soil modification, sand-capping, drainage, nutritional practices, and monitoring
• Discusses whole ecosystem site assessment in relation to environmental issues such as soil quality/sustainability, salt disposal, and potential to affect surface and ground waters
• Includes laboratory and field methods as well as soil and water quality report interpretations
• Presents challenges including salinity and environmental management systems; use of halophytic turfgrasses for non-traditional purposes; integration or geospatial concepts and technology; and integration of new sensor technology

Summary
A comprehensive, science-based approach to understanding the various salinity stresses on turfgrass, landscape plants, and soils, this book covers the causes, problems, and characteristics of saline and sodic sites. It discusses site assessments for each type of salinity stress, including laboratory and field methods, and soil and water quality report interpretations. Presenting options for the development and implementation of best management practice (BMPs), it considers whole ecosystem site assessment for environmental issues such as soil quality/sustainability, salt disposal, and potential to affect surface and ground waters.

Contents

Part I. Basics of Saline and Sodic Soils. Scope and Causes and Scope of Salinity. Saline and Sodic Problems. Classification and Characteristics of Saline and Sodic Sites. Part ll. Site Assessment BMPs for Saline and Sodic Soil Sites. Irrigation Water Quality Tests, Interpretation. and Selection. Soil Tests and Interpretation. Assessment for Salt Movement, Additions, and Retention. Part lII. Management BMPs for Saline and Sodic Soils Sites. Selection of Turfgrass and Landscape Plants. Irrigation System Design for Uniform Water Application and Flexibility. Irrigation Scheduling and Salinity Leaching. Selection of Amendments. Amendment Application Options and Guidelines. Cultivation, Topdressing, and Soil Modification. Sand-Capping. Drainage. Nutritional Practices on Saline and Sodic Sites. Additional Cultural Practices. Monitoring Progress. Part IV. Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability. Environmental Management Systems. Part V. Non-Traditional Use of Turfgrasses on Salt-Affected Sites. Reclamation, Drainage Water Reuse Schemes, Halophytic Forage Sites.