Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2004AZ50B

Impact of drought on management of salt sensitive plants with reclaimed water

Institute: Arizona
Year Established: 2004 Start Date: 2004-03-01 End Date: 2005-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $7,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $30,492

Principal Investigators: Ursula Schuch

Abstract: Salinity of soils and water is an ever increasing issue in Arizona and the arid Southwest. With the population expected to double in the next 40 years and a drought during six out of the seven last years, demands on the decreasing water supplies will be more difficult to meet in the future. The amount of reclaimed water produced in the state is increasing and is the only source of water that will continue to increase as more water is used. Reclaimed water is expected to become increasingly vital to sustain the quality of life for desert communities, and may soon become the only option for irrigating landscapes. The proposed study will examine the impact of drought on management of salt sensitive plants that are irrigated with reclaimed water. Plants that are commonly used in Southwestern landscapes and that have previously been identified as being salt sensitive will be grown with reclaimed and potable water. Water stress will be imposed to develop management strategies on how to irrigate salt sensitive plants with reclaimed water and maintain their functional and aesthetic value. Results will benefit the green industry, commercial and residential customers, and anyone interested in growing plants in the arid Southwest.