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<br />w <br />CJ1 <br />,... <br />,... <br /> <br />provide a data base for improving open channel delivery <br />systems. Measuring devices and instrumentation equipment <br />have been installed on several canals in the Imperial <br />Irrigation District (CA) and Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and <br />Drainage District (AZ). By 1986, all devices and instrumen- <br />tation should be fully operational for monitoring during the <br />entire irrigation season. <br /> <br />Several years of cablegation irrigation research and field <br />demonstration has been completed by ARS scientists from <br />Kimberly, Idaho. Thus far, experiences in Grand valley have <br />been very encouraging and successful. <br /> <br />Cooperative State Research Service - State Aqricultural <br />Experiment Stations - Scientists from the Great Plains west- <br />ward have conducted substantial research on soil salinity <br />that is relevant to the solution of salinity control <br />problems in the Colorado River Basin. Some examples of SAES <br />research in the Western Regional project W-160 are presented <br />below. <br /> <br />Research by Utah State University scientists in cooperation <br />with Utah Power and Light since 1977 relates to the use of <br />wastewater from the coal-fired powerplant at Huntington, <br />Utah. Crops have been grown for 8 years and soil salinity <br />has been monitored. Wastewater was applied by specialized <br />line-source equipment at rates ranging from excess, which <br />caused leaching, to no leaching. The saline water from the <br />powerplant is about ten times saltier than the normal <br />"creek" irrigation water. The build-up of total salts was <br />sufficient to cause some minor yield depressions. Tests <br />made in 1985 definitely show the major detrimental effect <br />found was boron toxicity, which was highly dependent on the <br />crop. The forage crops tested showed no yield depression due <br />to these boron rates but potato yields were decreased to 20 <br />percent of normal. The susceptibility of crops was found to <br />be (from high to low susceptibility) potatoes, corn, barley, <br />wheat, alfalfa, wheatgrass. A model of water-boron-crop- <br />irrigation-yield has been developed and is in the process of <br />being tested against field data. <br /> <br />A University of California-Davis study of factors influenc- <br />ing carbonate chemistry and minerology in salt affected <br />soils was carried out over a 3-year period. Plots were <br />designed to provide delivery of variable quantities of irri- <br />gation water and salts through parallel line-source <br />sprinklers. The plots were cropped to sorghum during summer <br />seasons and to wheat during winter and early spring. Soil <br />solutions and soil gases were collected periodically to <br />study seasonal and diurnal periods, varying temperature, <br /> <br />38 <br />