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<br />~::> <br />-::> <br />(" <br />..:::.. <br />00 <br />... <br /> <br />ABSTRACT <br /> <br />Iii <br /> <br /> <br />Sizable investments have been made and continue to be made throughout the world <br />to develop irrigation potentials. Recent food shortages have heightened the concern for <br />obtaining greater returns to irrigation through improved water management and use. A <br />knowledge of how plant growth cycles relate to moisture and salinity levels in the root zone <br />is prerequisite to developing practical ways of maintaining optimum conditions for <br />maximum production per unit of water concerned. This research further defines the role <br />. of irrigation timing and salinity management on crop production, and proposes practical <br />techniques for predicting the crop response to management measures, <br /> <br />Some of the advantages and special features of the research program outlined by the <br />report are listed as follows: <br /> <br />1, The experimental design is unique in that a sprinkler line is used as a single <br />source of water. This approach provides large volumes of yield data as influenced by water <br />supplies available to the crop. These data will provide information on the following: <br /> <br />a, Accurate evaluation of the basic water requirements of crops, <br /> <br />b, The optimal sequencing of deficits during crop growth stages, <br /> <br />c, The establishment of yield versus evapotranspiration relationships over the <br />entire range of water supply from rainfall (dryland) to over-irrigation, <br /> <br />d, An evaluation of soil water holding capacities in terms of its contributions to <br />the water needs of the crop, This information provides guidance on how to best <br />utilize the root system of a given crop type as a water gathering tool in terms of time <br />during the growing season, For example, planting date. plant spacing, and fertilizer <br />practices will be influenced by this information, <br /> <br />2. The experimental layout is versatile in that it lends itself to a study of the effects <br />on plant growth of input parameters other than water, such as fertility levels and plant <br />spacing. <br /> <br />3, The design can be readily adapted to accommodate several varieties and/or <br />species in the same experiment. <br /> <br />4, The research results are practical and generally applicable to a wide range of <br />crop, climate, soil, and water supply (non site specific and site specific) conditions, <br /> <br />5, The research provides a clear demonstration (both visual and quantitative) of the <br />beneficial effects of proper management practices on crop production, <br /> <br />6, The research deals with both domestic and international water problems <br />involving crop production, namely, the inflnence of available soil moisture and soil <br />salinity on plant yields. <br />