Date of Award:
12-2009
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Plants, Soils, and Climate
Committee Chair(s)
Grant E. Cardon
Committee
Grant E. Cardon
Committee
Brent Black
Committee
Paul Grossl
Committee
Philip V. Rasmussen
Abstract
Soil salinity, a yield-limiting condition, has plagued crop production for centuries by reducing crop productivity. Research has introduced methods for successfully managing soil salinity. This research discusses the adaptation of established management methods to create new soil salinity management techniques.
One adapted technique is an automated crop screening apparatus. A new design was created and successfully used in rapidly screening two strawberry cultivars to determine their tolerance to salinity. Screening crops and determining their tolerance to yield-limiting conditions are essential in managing soil salinity.
Another salinity management tool used in this research was electromagnetic induction (EMI). EMI was used to complete a basin-scale inventory over an 18,000 ha study area in Cache County, Utah. The data obtained during the inventory were used to create EMI calibration models and a basin-scale map showing the spatial distribution of apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa).
These new methods for crop tolerance screenings and basin-scale salinity inventories will assist in successfully managing soil salinity and decrease its effect on the global food supply.
Checksum
0dc36c725bcb39a6d0951e70e1b59b83
Recommended Citation
Hawks, Austin McCoy, "Salinity Inventory and Tolerance Screening in Utah Agriculture" (2009). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 546.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/546
Included in
Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .