Outline for Managing Irrigation of Florida Citrus with High Salinity Water

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean Salinity Management Salinity management is sometimes an important component of irrigation management. High levels of salts in irrigation water can compromise water relations in citrus trees, resulting in water stress even when soils have a relatively high water content. Irrigation with high salinity water requires more frequent applications and a greater volume than when good quality water is used. In addition, proper management will require flushing of salts with excess irrigation water. During extended droughts, salinity levels should dictate irrigation scheduling.