Do not use sprinklers that produce fine droplets. With this salt content, drainage must be excellent and each watering should apply enough water to leach accumulated salts below the roots of plants. Keep the water off the leaves to avoid burning. Where irrigation is infrequent or only for short periods during the year, more saline water may be used. When watering with saline water, closely observe the growth and condition of plants or herbage.
Saline water can cause considerable yield loss before symptoms of leaf burn become obvious.
Iron Many underground waters contain iron. Water containing iron in solution may be clear and colourless when first drawn, but become cloudy and eventually deposit reddish-brown hydrated iron oxide after standing in contact with the air. Iron in water stains clothes, buildings and paths brown when used in sprinklers on nearby gardens, and can be a problem with sprinkler irrigation of fruit trees and nursery plants. Iron deposits may block trickle irrigation systems - see Farmnote No. There is no simple method of removing iron, so garden irrigation sprinklers should be sited to prevent spraying buildings and places where the stain might be conspicuous.