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<br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />The principal objectives of the research on the poorly irained alkali. <br />soUs of the San Luis Valley include the following: <br /> <br />l. To determine the optimum level, or levels, of the water table <br />for efficient irrigation am drainage. <br /> <br />2. To study the efficiency of methods for controlling soil 9al:Lnity <br />and exchangeable bases, including irrigation, drainac:e, soil <br />amendments (chemical additives), and leaching. <br /> <br />3. To determine the crop management practices which will contribute <br />to improved soil and increased production. <br /> <br />4. To study the effects of irrigating witil drainage water, with <br />and without amendments, on salini1:if, alkalini:.y, sni.l structure, <br />and plant growth. <br /> <br />5. To improve the techniques and standards for claSSifying the <br />poorly drained saline and alkali s oils of the San Luis Valley. <br /> <br />The specific objectives for 1955 and 1956 are: <br /> <br />l. To further evaluate the effects of amendments, different rates <br />of leaChing, and moisture on crop yields and soil characteristics <br />(including soluble salts and exchangeable sodium) in order to <br />learn how long these original treatments are effective. <br /> <br />2. To determine the effects of several rates of surface-applied <br />irrigation water on the yield of barley and the yield and stand <br />of alfalfa growing under high and low water-table conditions. <br /> <br />3. To continue to evaluate the adaptability, stand, and yield <br />of grass and legume varieties for the test s'ite conditions. <br /> <br />4. To apply principles of reclamation as developed to date on a <br />large field-plot basis. <br /> <br />5. To determine the effect of deep sub soU tillage and normal <br />surface tillage on reclamation and on the yield and stand of <br />aUalfa on soUs with and without a "pan-layer." <br /> <br />GENERAL PLAN - 1955 and 1956 <br /> <br />Field Plot Location <br /> <br />Figure 1 shows the location of the experimental plots. The studies <br />include: (l) the original main reclamation plots (drained and subbed), <br />(2) the alfalfa strip tests, (3) the grass plots (tall wheatgrass strips <br />and the grass-legume nursery), and (4) the tillage-reclamation plots. <br /> <br />-5- <br /> <br />(. - "'" ". . ,.~ <br />'..; \. ;~~... <..I <br />