Tile Drainage Issues in the Northern Great Plains.

The recent rapid expansion of tile drainage in the Northern Great Plains and specifically in North Dakota has presented soil issues that have not been experienced in other parts of the U. S. where tile drainage is common.  Soils derived from glacio-lacustrine sediments originating from high Na-containing marine shales are relatively unweathered and unleached resulting in hign NA levels in the subsurface horizons of many soils.  Tile drainage can potentially enhance the sodic contiditons in these soils which may affect the drainage efficiency of tile systems and negatively impact soil productivity.  Strategies for identifying potential sodic conditions will be discussed.