In this project, we implemented seven standard and improved irrigation and fertigation management practices on a commercial alfalfa field to reduce the load and concentration of phosphorus and sediment in drainage waters. Reducing the amount of surface runoff after the application of P fertilizer is a key factor in reducing the load of P in drainage waters. The loads of P in runoff waters were reduced by as much as 75% compared to normal irrigation and fertigation practices. Water-run application of P increased the concentration and load of P in runoff water by almost 100% compare to broadcast P applications. Avoiding water-run applications can reduce the load of P in runoff water by more than 50%.
Index Terms—Irrigation management, phosphorus, sediments, water quality.
Khaled M. Bali is with University of California Cooperative Extension in Imperial County- University of California Desert Research and Extension Center, Holtville, California (e-mail: kmbali@ucdavis.edu).
Isabel Escabosa is with University of Baja California, Mexicali, Mexico (e-mail: isabel.escobosa@uabc.edu.mx).
Cite:Khaled M. Bali and Isabel Escabosa, "Management Practices for Phosphorus and Sediment Reduction in the Salton Sea Watershed," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 251-259, 2014.