SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF SOIL-SALINITY DISTRIBUTION FOR ANABANDONED TOMATO FIELD IN FLORIDA

Saline contamination of soil caused by flowing artesian wells is a ser ious problem in South Florida. There is a lack of information about th e variability of salinity distribution and the technique for managing the salinity problems. Consequently, some growers on salt-affected fie lds either abandon for crop production or use only 3 to 4 months in a two-year period. Salinity variability was studied using an abandoned t omato field near Ft. Myers, Florida. The results showed the existence of a large spatial and temporal variability of salinity distribution w ithin the field. The salt distribution within the soil profile in the high salt-affected area had a larger variation over time than that in the low salt-affected area, mainly because the salt moved upward and d ownward based on soil water movement. Based on the findings of this st udy, the potential water management systems for resolving the salinity problems were discussed.