Modeling a Sustainable Salt Tolerant Grass-Livestock Production System under Saline Conditions in the Western San Joaquin Valley of California

Máximo F. Alonso, Dennis L. Corwin, James D. Oster, John Maas and Stephen R. Kaffka
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Máximo F. Alonso: Department of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources, University of Chile, Santa Rosa 11315, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile
Dennis L. Corwin: USDA-ARS United States Salinity Laboratory, 450 West Big Springs Road, Riverside, CA 92507, USA
James D. Oster: Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California at Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside, CA 92521, USA
John Maas: Department of Animal Science, University of California at Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA
Stephen R. Kaffka: Department of Plant Sciences, University of California at Davis, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA

Sustainability, 2013, vol. 5, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Salinity and trace mineral accumulation threaten the sustainability of crop production in many semi-arid parts of the world, including California’s western San Joaquin Valley (WSJV). We used data from a multi-year field-scale trial in Kings County and related container trials to simulate a forage-grazing system under saline conditions. The model uses rainfall and irrigation water amounts, irrigation water quality, soil, plant, and atmospheric variables to predict Bermuda grass ( Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) growth, quality, and use by cattle. Simulations based on field measurements and a related container study indicate that although soil chemical composition is affected by irrigation water quality, irrigation timing and frequency can be used to mitigate salt and trace mineral accumulation. Bermuda grass yields of up to 12 Mg dry matter (DM)·ha −1 were observed at the field site and predicted by the model. Forage yield and quality supports un-supplemented cattle stocking rates of 1.0 to 1.2 animal units (AU)·ha −1 . However, a balance must be achieved between stocking rate, desired average daily gain, accumulation of salts in the soil profile, and potential pollution of ground water from drainage and leaching. Using available weather data, crop-specific parameter values and field scale measurements of soil salinity and nitrogen levels, the model can be used by farmers growing forages on saline soils elsewhere, to sustain forage and livestock production under similarly marginal conditions.

Keywords: Bermuda grass; grazing; irrigation; management; salinity; simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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