Another method of conserving water is to reuse it after irrigation. Water from flooding and furrows can be collected and pumped back into the crop when necessary. Salinization Top Salinization is the build up of salts on the soil from irrigation. Water from rivers and groundwater contains salts dissolved during its passage over and through the soil. When an excess of water is applied to the soil, and the groundwater table is less than ten feet deep, water will move to the surface and evaporate.
Evaporation leaves behind dissolved salts on the soil surface.
Plants will usually suffer when salt concentrations in the soil are between 3000 - 6000 ppm. Flushing the soil with lots of water usually dissolves and washes the salts from the soil. Unfortunately, the salts then end up back in the water system. Proper water scheduling can help reduce the likelihood of salinization. Pesticides, Herbicides and Fertilizers Top Pesticides, herbicides and inorganic fertilizers can end up in streams and ground water when they are flushed out of the soil.