Caution is advised in using this irrigation strategy since reduced growth and increased levels of chloride and boron in the soil and plant tissue could reduce yields in future years. Sufficient rainfall or good quality water is needed the subsequent year to leach most of the salts from the upper tow or three feet of the rootzone. In some soils, good quality water following saline water could cause reduced soil-water infiltration, creating an ideal environment for root diseases. Estimated crop yield using irrigation water of various qualities over the long-term. ASCE Manual No. 71.
Tolerance is based on growth rather than yield.
Maximum chloride concentrations that various tree and vine crops can tolerate without developing leaf burn. These concentrations may exceed the salinity threshold and cause yield reduction in some crops. Data from Australia indicates that rough lemon is more sensitive to Cl than sweet orange.