UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PUBLICATIONS

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA

IRRIGATION OF ALFALFA IN IMPERIAL VALLEY

BY

WALTER

E.

PACKARD

BULLETIN

No. 284

September, 1917

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRF.SS

BERKELEY
1917

Benjamin Ide Wheeler, President

of the University.

EXPEEIMENT STATION STAFF

HEADS OF DIVISIONS

Thomas Forsyth Hunt, Director. Edward J. Wickson, Horticulture

(Emeritus).

Herbert J. Webber, Director Citrus Experiment Station; Plant Breeding Hubert E. Van Norman, Vice-Director; Dairy Management. William A. Setchell, Botany.

Myer

E. Jaffa, Nutrition.

*Eobert H. Loughridge, Soil Chemistry and Physics (Emeritus). Charles W. Woodworth, Entomology. Ealph E. Smith, Plant Pathology. J. Eliot Coit, Citriculture. John W. Gilmore, Agronomy. Charles F. Shaw, Soil Technology. John W. Gregg, Landscape Gardening and Floriculture. Frederic T. Bioletti, Viticulture and Enology. Warren T. Clarke, Agricultural Extension. John S. Burd, Agricultural Chemistry. Charles B. Lipman, Soil Chemistry and Bacteriology. Clarence M. Haring, Veterinary Science and Bacteriology Ernest B. Babcock, Genetics. Gordon H. True, Animal Husbandry. James T. Barrett, Plant Pathology. Fritz W. Woll, Animal Nutrition. Walter Mulford, Forestry. W. P. Kelley, Agricultural Chemistry. H. J. Quayle, Entomology. Elwood Mead, Rural Institutions. J. B. Davidson, Agricultural Engineering.
H.
S.

Reed, Plant Physiology.

Mason, Forestry. C. L. Roadhouse, Dairy Industry, t Frank Adams, Irrigation Investigations. W. L. Howard, Pomology. William G. Hummel, Agricultural Education. John E. Dougherty, Poultry Husbandry.
D. T.

Rogers, Olericulture. David N. Morgan, Assistant

S. S.

to the Director.

Mrs. D. L. Bunnell, Librarian.

Division of
J.

Agronomy
W.
E.

P.

B.

W. Gilmore B. Kennedy A. Madson

H. H. Yost

Packard

R. L.

Geo.

Adams W. Hendry

Died July 1, 1917. In co-operation with office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering, U. Department of Agriculture.
*

S.

IRRIGATION OF ALFALFA IN IMPERIAL VALLEY

By WALTEK
E.

PACKAED

ALFALFA IRRIGATION

Recent investigations have indicated certain desirable changes in

the methods of irrigating alfalfa in Imperial Valley, which,
if

carried

out will tend to increase yields.

At present

the annual yields vary

;

from two and one-half

wide variation
soils
is

to ten tons

per acre (besides winter pasturage)

four and one-half tons being a fair average for the whole valley.

The

due

to the great difference in the character of the

some fields are irrigated more efficiently than a factor in the low productiveness in some cases, but taking the valley as a whole, "alkali" is not the main cause for low yields. Although it is certain that the "softer" or sandier types of
to the fact that
is

and

others.

Alkali

adapted to alfalfa than the harder or heavier types, experiments have shown that careful irrigation will, in a large measure, eliminate the differences between yields obtained on these types. The number of cuttings and the yields secured from an established stand of alfalfa depend almost entirely upon the efficiency of irrisoil are better
'

'

'

'

gation.

PEEPAEING LAND FOE IEEIGATION

field

which

is

to be planted to alfalfa should be especially well

prepared.

Any

neglect in proper leveling will often cause

much

trouble and some loss during the entire time that the crop occupies
the land, while carelessness in forming the seed bed

may

result in a
grass.

thin stand, with the resultant introduction of

actual loss in crop area
is

Bermuda

The

often considerable (from 5 to 15 per cent)

while the slow growth of the alfalfa on high places in the field not
receiving sufficient water, represents an unnecessary financial loss
to the farmer.
1 Based in part on work done in cooperation with the Office of Public Eoads and Eural Engineering, U. S. Department of Agriculture and the State Department of Engineering of California. The measurements of water applied to alfalfa fields and the field studies of its distribution in the soil and in part the examination of water-logged lands were made by F. J. Veihmeyer, Assistant Irrigation Engineer, Office of Public Eoads and Eural Engineering.

68

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

EXPERIMENT STATION
to a depth of

Land which has never been plowed should be turned

from four to six inches, while land which has been plowed will be If the land is moist, discing should benefited by a deeper working. follow the plowing each day in order to prevent the ground surface The borders should be rebuilt and from becoming too lumpy. straightened. A thorough irrigation will indicate any irregularities After the land is in the surface which may have been overlooked. well leveled and irrigated, discing and harrowing will prepare the
surface for seeding.
a

Alfalfa can be satisfactorily broadcasted or seeded with Experiments have so far indicated that drilling is the preferable practice, if the seed is not planted too deeply (not deeper than one-half inch in heavy soils, or one and one-half inches in light soil). Some remove the seed tubes from behind the drill discs in order to prevent this deep seeding, especially where the land is to be irrigated immediately after planting.

Seeding.

drill.

October
April
15.

is

considered the best

of

month
silt

for planting, although alfalfa

can be successfully sown at almost any time between October 1 and

The heavy content

is

in the irrigation water during

periods in the fall

the greatest objection to fall planting, while the

heavy winds often cause much trouble in the spring.

Irrigation at the
is

Time

of Seeding.

Irrigation of the young alfalfa

the seed
is

a particular operation.

The

soil

should be well wetted by a thordrilled in

ough irrigation before planting.

not irrigated, the
fields

Where

and

should be "planked" or dragged in order to

to insure germination.

compact the earth about the seed

leaves.

No

irrigation

should be given until the plants develop from three to four true

Where

the seed

is

irrigated,

which

is

the custom in Imperial

Valley, the

first

irrigation after planting should be followed

five days.

second light irrigation in from three to

The

silt

carried

by a by

the irrigation water often forms an almost impenetrable crust soon

after irrigation and with the harder types of soil the surface itself becomes so hard and dry for a quarter of an inch or more that the young plants cannot come through. The second irrigation recommended tends to overcome this hardening and drying and usually insures a good stand. It is important, however, that this second irrigation should come before the plants appear above the ground, on account of the fact that irrigation of the young plants with muddy water before the third or fourth true leaf appears will usually injure

the seedlings, in

many

cases killing so large a percentage as to seri-

ously deplete the stand.

Withholding the water from the young

loss,

plants after they are well sprouted will ordinarily not cause a

IRRIGATION OF ALFALFA IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY

for though the surface crust
attain a penetration of
1,

69

may

appear very dry, the

to fifteen inches, as

roots,

which

from eight

shown

in figure

through.

within three weeks after seeding, will ordinarily carry the plants After the young plants have developed three or four true

leaves, irrigation

may

proceed in the usual way.

Too young Alfalfa Seedlings, first appearance above ground. 3-4, Alfalfa seedlings too young to irrigate safely with silty water, particularly on heavy soils. 5-6, Alfalfa seedlings large enough to be safe from damage from silty water under ordinary conditions.
Fig.
1.

1-2,

to irrigate.

WATEE EEQUIEED FOE ALFALFA

Alfalfa requires from 350 to 1000 tons of water to produce one

ton of cured hay. 2

to the

The wide variation in water requirement is due varying condition of humidity and temperature under which
;

2 The Soil, by King, the MacMillan Co. Principles of Irrigation Practice, by Widsoe, MacMillan Co. The Water Requirement of Plants, by Briggs and Shantz,
;

70
the plant

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
is

EXPERIMENT STATION

grown.
fall

The

fact that alfalfa grows so readily in the

spring and

with half the number of irrigations required in the

hot and dry summer months, illustrates that fact. 3 In this section where the temperatures are so high and the humidity so low, transpiration is probably greater than in most alfalfa-growing sections of this country, 4 and an unusually large amount of water is required. As this report is not a study of the duty of water for alfalfa the question of the amounts used will not be discussed.

Wilting Point

Amount

of

Water Necessary for Plant Growth

Not only does alfalfa require a large amount of water but the water must be applied in the right quantities in order that the plant may utilize it. It is impossible for any plant to remove all of the water from a soil on account of the adhesion of the water to the small soil particles. The fact that damp sand holds together while dry sand
or sand held under water does not, illustrates this drawing power.

This wilting point varies in different

soils

from 2 per cent of

moisure present in the coarse sands to 18 per cent in the finest clay. As the soil on any farm is a combination of distinct types, usually
occurring in layers of various thicknesses, although sometimes being
a more or less homogeneous mixture, the wilting coefficient of the

average

soil in

the field

is

usually some combination of the figures

table

given, as indicated

by the
it is

accompanying the

soil charts,

which
on

give the wilting coefficient of the various types of soil found in the
fields studied.

When

realized, however, that alfalfa planted

the sandiest types of soil in the valley would not wilt until the moist-

ure reaches the low limit of 2 or 3 per cent, while alfalfa planted in a

would wilt when 18 per cent of moisture is can be seen that the soils found here must receive different treatment in order to get similar results.
plat of heavy clay soil
present,
it

Saturation of the Soil not Desirable

Too much water

as well as moisture.

is

as undesirable as too little, for plants

need

air

Too much water usually causes the greater

losses,

for

it

necessitates drainage in

many

cases in addition to the loss of

the crop.

Although

it

is

impossible to say just what percentage of

3 Although the greater transpiration during the summer is probably the main cause for reduced growth during that period, the effect of the intense sunlight undoubtedly has a detrimental effect on the summer growth of the alfalfa, as pointed out by William Lawrence Balls in his book entitled The Cotton Plant in Egypt Studies in Physiology and Genetics, MacMillan Co., London, 1912.

No measurements

have been made of the transpiration in this section, but

S.

from conclusions made by Briggs and Shantz in Plant Ind. Bull. 284, U. it can be assumed that transpiration is very great in this section.

D. A.,

IRRIGATION OF ALFALFA IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY

71
it

moisture

is

needed

to

maintain a

maximum growth

of alfalfa,

is

safe to conclude that the moisture content in the soil

must be some-

where above the wilting point and below saturation.

Conditions Suitable for Control of Moisture

As
water
fore,

the rainfall in this section averages below four inches per year,

the valley soils are dust-dry to a considerable depth before irrigation

is added. The moisture found in the surface soil must, therecome either from seepage from canals or from direct irrigation. This allows an almost perfect control of soil moisture by the irrigator

Fig.

2.

Separating

alfalfa roots from soil by hand. dried and weighed.

Roots are later washed,

and

at the

same time affords excellent conditions under which

to

study the problems of moisture penetration.

GENERAL SURVEY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS

general survey of the moisture condition in the valley soils

showed a wide variation in depth of penetration, as might naturally be expected. In the hard and medium hard soils the penetration averaged about three feet, while in many cases water had not penetrated for more than two feet after two or three years of irrigation.
In the medium soft soils the condition is usually good, the moisture penetrating to a depth of from ten to fifteen feet, with no excess accumulation in the lower strata. The sandy soils are commonly
over-irrigated.

In

many

places with sandy soils water stands

from

72

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

EXPERIMENT STATION

two to ten feet from the ground surface, especially where the porous sand overlies impervious clay.
Eoot Development

In connection with this investigation a study was made of root development in different types of soil and under varying water conditions in order to know how the feeding roots responded to irrigation. An area three feet square was selected in an average location on each field studied and the soil removed to the full depth of root penetration, agitated until all soil particles were washed away, leaving a mass of

Fig.

3.

Separating
The

soil

from roots by placing soil mass in a screen box and agitating in an irrigation ditch.

roots.

roots of various sizes were sorted out

and the smallest

with a diameter of 1 mm. or less were rewashed, air-dried, and weighed. Charts were made representing the distribution of these
It is assumed The soil was placed in a screen box and the whole held under water in an irrigation ditch and that these small roots represent the feeding roots of the alfalfa and

roots in each foot to the full depth of root penetration.

a six-inch layer being removed at a time.

that the charts representing the distribution of these feeding roots

really represent graphically the feeding zone of the alfalfa plant.

Large Proportion of Feeding Eoots are in the Surface Soil

80 to 90 per cent of the

The most striking feature brought out by the charts is that from fine roots are found in the upper four feet

IRRIGATION OF ALFALFA IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY

73

CHART

NO.

ALFALFA

z*2

DISTRIBUTION OF FEEDING ROOTS OF IN FINE SANDY LOAM SOIL IN IMPERIAL VALLEY. NO WATER TABLE WITHIN 15 FT. OF GROUND SURFACE.

51 03

t-

UX

DISTRIBUTION OF FEEDING ROOTS OF IN SANDY LOAM SOIL AT EL MONTE CAL. WATER TABLE VARYING FROM 4 TO 9 FEET BELOW THE GROUND SURFACE.

ALFALFA

O:

74

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

EXPERIMENT STATION
irrigations.

where the land receives frequent surface

Deep

roots can

be formed by a system of deep irrigation, as described in chart No. 3

but under ordinary conditions the largest mass of feeding roots is developed in the top zone. Alfalfa has always been represented as a deep-rooted crop, which it is, but it is very apparent that, under
the conditions represented by these charts, a very small percentage
of the roots go below five feet.

In the type of

soil

and under the

conditions described a majority of the small roots are in the upper

two feet, which fact indicates that it is very essential to give this upper zone particular attention in any system of irrigation designed
to secure large yields.

Need of Organic Matter Demonstrated

The presence of organic matter has a very noticeable effect on the development of the feeding roots, as indicated by the fact that whenever a stratum containing much organic matter is encountered the A perfect network of these feeding roots are always very numerous. fine roots gathers about a piece of decaying wood or follows down the channels left by roots of native vegetation which formerly occupied The larger roots often pass through a sandy stratum conthe land. taining little organic matter without sending out very many fine
roots until the heavier, richer soil
is

reached.
2.

This

is

well illustrated in chart No.

The

much more numerous

soils studied.

in this location than in

fine roots were very any Imperial Valley

the comparatively large

Monte

soils

The only reasonable explanation of this fact is that amount of organic matter found in the El induced this greater root development and in part

accounts for the large yields secured on these non-irrigated lands. 5

The number of fine roots in the different soil strata varies with the amount of organic matter present, which accounts for the fact that in the chart more roots are indicated in the third than in the second foot and more in the fifth than in the fourth. It is very evident that the soils of Imperial Valley need more organic matter, and anything that can be obtained to supply this need should be added whenever possible. The charts represent so many varied conditions that each will
be discussed separately.
s The very large percentage of roots in the surface stratum, as indicated by the chart, is probably too great on account of the fact that it was impossible to separate out all of the organic material other than roots. This may have had an effect on the total quantity in these soils.

IRRIGATION OF ALFALFA IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY

75

CHART

No. 3

S5 oo

FEEDING ROOTS OF SANDY LOAM SOIL IN IMPERIAL VALLEY. SATURATION AT 15 FEET. INFREQUENT BUT HEAVY IRRIGATION.
DISTRIBUTION OF
IN

ALFALFA

76

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

EXPERIMENT STATION

DISCUSSION OF CONDITIONS REPRESENTED BY THE CHARTS

Chart No. 1 represents the weights of feeding roots in each foot
in depth in the field giving the highest yield of alfalfa of those studied.

The alfalfa was nine years old and produced from six to nine tons per acre besides winter pasture, in an average of six cuttings. The
soil is

a sandy loam to a depth of five or six feet and from there

to twelve feet, clay, clay loam,

and sandy loam

strata alternate.

The

greatest

number
feet,
is

of roots

is
is

in the second foot, with 95 per cent in the

to be expected in a soil

upper four
moisture
irrigation.

which

where

all

of the

supplied on the surface by irrigation and none by subin this field

The moisture
fifteen feet.

had penetrated

to a

depth of more than

at

No water

table existed at this depth, although the lower

strata were very near the saturation point.

Water was applied

more frequent intervals than on any

under observation, so that the top foot of soil seldom dried out to below the wilting point, during the period between irrigations. The value of this system of frequent light irrigations is at once apparent for the roots in this field go to a depth of eleven feet, and in all of that area the percent of moisture in the soil between irrigations ranges between saturation and the wilting point, always affording ample moisture for
of the fields
all roots.

It

seems apparent therefore that frequent irrigation, sufficiently

light to prevent a water-logging of the soil

sufficient to

and

at the

same time

allow for deep penetration will keep up the moisture

supply in the zone of greatest root development and will as a result One heavy irrigation may add as much give the largest yields. water as two light irrigations, but in the one case much of the water will be lost by seeping below the root zone, while in the others the water will be largely retained in the top soil as available moisture for
plant growth.

Chart No. 3 represents the deepest-rooted alfalfa studied. The a sandy loam for a depth of six feet where a five to six-foot stratum of clay loam and clay begins. The field produces from five to
soil is

hay per year besides winter pasture. When this land was leveled a large amount of water was used which undoubtedly saturated the lower soil strata. After the alfalfa stand was about a year old the ranch was sold and no water was applied to this field for During this time the alfalfa roots depended upon about ten months.
six tons of alfalfa

the moisture already in the soil to maintain plant growth,

result the feeding roots

were developed in the

full

and as a depth of twelve

IRRIGATION OF ALFALFA IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY

77

CHART
DISTRIBUTION OF
IN

NO. 4

ISO

* 2 uiOp

FEEDING ROOTS OF SANDY LOAM SOIL IN IMPERIAL VALLEY. WATER TABLE AT 4y 2 FEET BELOW THE GROUND SURFACE.

ALFALFA

03

uz
Bta

11-

}5x
J<

WEIGHT OF ROOTS

IN

GRAMS

CHART
(90

NO. 5

zao uiOO
or"*-

DISTRIBUTION OF FEEDING ROOTS OF ALFALFA IN SANDY SOIL IN IMPERIAL VALLEY WITH WATER TABLE 3 FEET BELOW THE GROUND SURFACE.

> '/
.30

>

6.5
6.5>

6.5

H.1

HI
SANDY
CLAY

LOAM LOAM

SAND
CLAY

W.1
FINE SANDY

LOAM

78
feet.
6

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

EXPERIMENT STATION

During

this period the alfalfa did not

grow

fast, as a

majority

of the feeding roots of the plant were located in the top soil where

there was not sufficient moisture for plant growth, the plant maintain-

through the roots in the moist strata below. just described is often found in sections where no irrigation water is applied to the field, but where the roots go down
ing
itself

The condition

shown in chart No. 2. This represents the distribution of roots in a sandy soil near the San Gabriel River at El Monte, Los Angeles County, where the alfalfa is not irrigated. The El Monte field was selected to illustrate this, as no alfalfa is grown without irrigation in Imperial Valley. In this field the water table varies from
to water, as

four feet to nine or ten feet below the surface of the ground.
winter, during the rainy period

In the
is

when

the

San Gabriel River

high,

the water stands at the highest point.

The

alfalfa

makes the most rapid growth

in the spring, as the

rain keeps the moisture well above the wilting point at the ground

surface and the water table at four feet furnishes, by capillarity,

maximum plant growth in the top root zone. and the water table lowers, the growth slackens up and during the dry weather when the top soil is relatively dry the alfalfa does not much more than maintain itself. The fine roots which
sufficient

moisture for

When

the rains stop

tend to follow the water down keep about even with the water plane

and thus secure enough moisture to keep the plant alive and to In this field the support some growth during the summer months. roots were found to a depth of eight feet while water was encountered
at nine.

Effect of Water Table on Root Development

Much

has been written regarding the dangers of a rise of water

table, as large areas of

good land have been rendered worthless on that

account, but
that,

it

seems evident from this chart and others that follow,

where

alkali is not a factor,

no apparent damage

is

done until

the water table rises above the four-foot

roots are rotted off wherever they are

The submerged for any length of

or thereabouts.

mark

time, 7

and number of

as soon as the

water table

rises

about four
If

feet,

a sufficient
rises closer

the roots are killed to affect the plant.

water

6 When the root studies were made the land was dry below eight feet on account of the fact that recent irrigations have not been sufficient to penetrate for more than eight feet. These lower roots, although not dead, were of no value to the plant as they were in dry soil. It is apparent, therefore, that the roots below eight feet were developed during the ten months when the substratum was saturated and no water was applied to the surface of the field. 7 The period of submergence necessary to kill the roots is not known, except that submergence for a few days will not, but for two or three months will.

IRRIGATION OF ALFALFA IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY

79

than three feet so large a proportion of roots are affected as to greatly reduce the yield by killing all but the more resistant plants. In the field just described the roots below four feet were all of this year's growth, as indicated by the fact that they branched from roots which

were rotted

off at

the four-foot level.

The lower

strata were full of

Fig.

4.

Alfalfa root rotted

off by rise of water table. Two small roots are shown growing from the main root after water table had lowered.

fine roots of

previous years' growth which had died out with the rise
not necessarily injurious

of the water table.

The
until
it

fact that the rise of the water table

is

begins to reach an area of large root development near the surindicated in charts No. 4 and No.
is

face

is

represented by chart No. 4

5. The alfalfa in the field growing above a water table varying

from four

to six feet.

As a

result all of the feeding roots are in

80

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

EXPERIMENT STATION

the top four feet, the greatest

field is
still

number being in the top foot. This being damaged by the existence of a high water table, but is

producing good crops. The geld is flooded very heavily and water often stands on the alfalfa several hours before it finally disappears. The roots which had penetrated below four feet before

the rise of water table were decayed, but the effect was not serious

enough
growth.

to kill the plants

on accoount of the fact that a

sufficient

quantity of roots existed in the upper four feet to maintain a normal

....

._

Fig.

5.

Bermuda
field

grass soon occupies the land

or

when

by excessive flooding

by

rise of

alfalfa has been killed out water table.

In the

represented by chart No.

5,

however, the alfalfa

its

is

rapidly dying out and

table in this case
is

Bermuda

grass taking

place.

The water
majority of
is

so close to the surface that a large

the roots are killed, leaving only the top

It

two
if

feet as a feeding zone.

seems apparent, therefore, that, so far as the water table

con-

cerned, alfalfa will produce large yields

close

the water does not come

enough

to the surface to rot a large percentage of the roots.

The
table

frequent testimony, both from this section and others, that alfalfa
does better with a water table at four feet than
exists is

when no water

probably based on the fact that a water table at that depth tends to maintain a maximum moisture condition in the top soil by

IRRIGATION OF ALFALFA IN
capillarity.

THE IMPERIAL VALLEY

81

water table is within three feet of the surface and remains constant, alfalfa will often produce good crops, as it does in part of the San Joaquin Valley where this condition exists, but when the water table fluctuates and sometimes rises above three feet, so
If the

large a
kill

number

of roots are rotted as to greatly reduce,

if

not entirely

out the stand.

When

alkali is present in sufficient quantities in

water-logged lands, the salts tend to concentrate on the surface and

often become so strong as to kill
all

vegetation.

Eoot Development and Moisture Distribution in Clays and Clay Loams

In so-called "hard soils" the feeding roots are necessarily largely

on the surface, as the irrigation water often does not penetrate for more than three to four feet. If a large yield of alfalfa is secured

on

this type of soil it is necessary to

keep the moisture content of

irrigations.
It is

the top soil above the wilting point

by frequent

apparent that

if

by infrequent
soil

irrigation the top foot or

two dry

out,

the roots in that zone are of no use to the plant until further irrigation

brings the water in the

is

above the wilting point.

This condition
fact that

very

common

in the valley

and usually accounts for the

grows slowly and often blossoms when only a foot or so high on the harder types of soil. Frequent irrigation will add the needed moisture to this top soil area, will maintain the moisture above the wilting point, and will allow for a rapid growth of alfalfa.
alfalfa

GENERAL CONCLUSION
In order, then, to get satisfactory yields of alfalfa a large amount must be supplied during the season, it must be supplied frequently enough so as to prevent a drying of the surface soil on the one hand and water-logging of the soil on the other. This desirable condition can only be accomplished by conforming the grade
of water of the land, the frequency of irrigation, the size of the field, and the head of water used to the types of soil to be handled. As the soil types vary widely, it will be necessary to consider each general type separately. It will be sufficient for this purpose to divide the soils of the valley into three general classes, sandy or porous soils, sandy loams or medium soft soils, and clay loam and clay or heavy soils.

METHOD OF IRRIGATION RECOMMENDED FOR POROUS

SOILS

The great danger in all sandy or porous soils is that too much This conwater will be applied and a high water table thus formed. dition is already prevalent in some sections, where sand overlays clay.

82

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
to retard the
is

EXPERIMENT STATION
of the water,

The clay tends

downward movement

and

an accnmnlation of water above this stratum, which gradually rises toward the surface as irrigation continues. This rise of water table can be prevented in a majority of cases by adopting
as a result there

one or

all

of the following suggestions.

Use smaller lands.

if

The lands or borders for

irrigation on this type

of soil should usually not exceed one-eighth of a mile in length and,

necessary, not

more than twenty-five

to thirty feet in

width in order

that the water applied

may

reach the lower end without oversaturat-

where water has been run from a quarter to a half mile on these types of soil^ with the inevitable effect of adding too much water at the upper portion of the field, which of course results in a rise of water table. The exact length and width of the lands must depend on the condition of the surface and the degree of porosity of the soil. If the soil is very sandy the lands should be both narrow and short in order to allow a
There are
fields in the valley

ing the upper end.

many

quick irrigation.

Use large head.

being used,
it

In addition to using smaller- lands than are

in nearly all cases to use

would be an advantage

now much
soil.
is

larger heads of water than are at present used on this type of

In other parts of California a head of from eight to twelve feet

often run onto one land in order to get quick irrigation.

small

head will often disappear so rapidly at the upper end that it takes a very long time to cover the field. The size of head must conform to the size of the land and the character of the soil, the point being to run the water so quickly over the land that an excess above the requirements of the plants will not be added to any part of it. A head of three to eight cubic feet per second for the very sandy soil and from two to four cubic feet per second for the more compact sandy loams would not be too great. A soil auger can be very effectively used in determining the soil moisture condition where one is uncertain regarding the moisture penetration. In cases where the grade is less than five feet to the mile in the directions in which the lands are built, and it can be increased to a eight to ten feet to the mile by changing the direction of the lands, it should be done. There will be no danger of the soil washing at that grade and it will materially help in getting the water across the land
quickly.
It is

very important that the recommendations made be followed

out in case of light sandy soils for there

is always danger of the formation of water table when water penetration is rapid. The depth of the soil should not be considered as a safeguard, as it only takes

IRRIGATION OF ALFALFA IN

THE IMPERIAL VALLEY

83

In 1910 ground water was soil reservoir. of planted depth fifteen field feet in a found at a to alfalfa. In two years the level had raised to nine feet, so that water stood within six
time to saturate the large
feet of the surface, and water is now so close to it that alkali is beingbrought up and deposited on the ground surface by capillary action. Every man owning "soft" land should investigate the condition in his field and conform his irrigation practice to meet .the conditions

present.

Drainage

is

Often Necessary in Sandy Soils

is

In some cases a water table

particularly

formed through seepage from

on the bottom and
sides.

canals,

when
is

canals are located in sandy territory on a sufficient

fine silt

grade to prevent a deposit of

rate of seepage

The

so great under these conditions that the effect of

a rise or fall in the water level in a canal can often be noticed a dis-

tance of one-eighth of a mile from the canal within twenty-four

hours.

This condition can only be handled by drainage or by lining

the ditches causing the seepage.

In most cases the ditches in the

silt

valley are on such slight grade that the deposits of

prevent rapid

seepage.

When

a ranch

is

near a deep drain, or one of the river channels,

either seepage

a satisfactory system of drainage can be installed to remove the excess

of water which
irrigation.

In
is

may have accumulated by many cases such facilities do

a

or over-

not exist and the drainas such.

age question

community problem which must be met

surface drain at the end of a field will be of great value in

preventing a scalding of the alfalfa by standing water, although such

drains do not affect the ground water condition.
a danger of depending too

There

is

sometimes

much upon

these drains, with the result

that the lower ends of the fields are badly flooded, but where properly

used
feet

much waste can

necessity of considerable depth.

and eight feet

"Experience has taught the less than six 8 minimum. The outlet drains would be a better
be prevented.

This should never be

' '

would have to be

still

deeper.

METHOD OF IEEIGATION EECOMMENDED FOR MEDIUM

The sandy loam
is

SOILS

too little water

is

soils are easily irrigated, although too much or There sometimes applied with the usual results. no good excuse, however, for not having a good moisture condition

in these
s

medium

soft "soils.
of Irrigated

If the alfalfa does not

grow

as rapidly

"The Drainage

Land," by

R. A. Hart.

Bulletin 190, U. S.

Dept. of Agr.

84
as desired

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

EXPERIMENT STATION

an investigation shonld be made of the moisture condition by the use of a soil augur or a spade. If the top soil appears too dry before irrigation it would perhaps be wise to give the field an additional light irrigation between cuttings. If the lower strata are saturated the recommendations given for hard or clay soils
in the soil

should be followed.

METHODS OF IRRIGATION RECOMMENDED FOR COMPACT SOILS

The problem on the hard type
In
of soils
is

to get the

water deep into

is

the soil in sufficient quantities to maintain rapid growth.

many

cases the fact that the surface has been irrigated

taken

as evidence that the water has soaked in, while in reality only the top
six inches

have been wetted. It is very common to find dry soil at In depth of and one-half a two to three feet in these heavy soils. order to get proper penetration the following recommendations should
Size of land.

be followed out.

Land should be from an eighth to a quarter mile running one-half mile, as is now a common practice. It is difficult to handle water property on long lands, as a flooding of On land that is comparatively the lower end can seldom be avoided. flat, borders fifty to one hundred feet apart are satisfactory, but when the land is at all steep, lands should be narrowed down to twenty-five to thirty feet wide so that a small head will cover the surface evenly. Head of water to use. In order to get proper penetration, it is necessary to run a comparatively small head for a long time. Fields which yielded from two and one-half to three tons per acre per year have been made to double the yield through this system of irrigation. A small head of water requires a much longer time to travel over the field than a larger head and allows of a better penetration. Land only depth of three feet when large which could be wetted to a heads were used were successfully wetted to a depth of five and six feet by the use of smaller heads. The effect of smaller heads running for a longer time is more noticeable with furrow irrigation than with
long, very seldom
flooding, but the effect

Grade of land.
is

is marked in both cases. The grade of hard land should not be over

five

or six feet to the mile.

A grade

of four feet

is

satisfactory

if

the land

properly leveled.

Drains should be made at the lower ends whenever practicable, as The drains should be is very common on this type of soil. large enough to prevent the accumulation of water at the lower ends.
scalding