Evaluation of Comercially Available Salinty Mediation Products in Semi-Arid Alfalfa Production; Still in Search of a Silver Bullet.

Elevated soil salinity levels in irrigated alfalfa production frequently occur in semi-arid environments and are especially challenging when poor quality irrigation water in limited quantities are used.   A multitude of products are marketed to producers as remedies to control or reduce salinity symptoms.    Most products do not have scientifically established utility or use recommendations.   Some products are used in other production areas and have been marketed for several years.   Others are new or are formulations of something previously on the market.  The product categories that have been evaluated in West Texas for alfalfa yield response and favorable changes in soil properties include: surfactants, soil conditioners, humates, micronutrients, and biologicals.  Evaluation sites were silty clay loam soils, alkaline, ranging in pH from 7.9 to 8.4; with sodium absorption ration between 7 and 14.  Products were applied as liquid applications ranging from 0.73 L per ha^-1 (10 fl oz/ac) to 28 L per ha^-1 (2 gal/ac) of product in a total volume of 93 L per ha^-1 (10 gal/ac) water.  Applications were made during the growing season on pivot irrigated alfalfa between cuttings.  No visual or adverse differences in the crop were observed between treated and untreated areas.  Pre and post treatment soil tests were conducted and alfalfa yield and quality were measured.  To date, in multiple replicated trials; none of the tested products have produced a significant alfalfa yield or soil quality response.