ARC-Institute for Soil, Climate & Water: 1902-2002

Abstract

IRRIGATION During the last 100 years the Institute has dealt with numerous investigations into salt-affected soils. At the first South African Irrigation Congress in 1909, concern was expressed at the extent of saltaffected soils, the sediment content of water supplies, the lack of suitable land for irrigation development and serious deficiencies in farm management. Even in those early days it was pointed out that for successful irrigation scheme development a careful soil survey must first be carried out; the volume of water which can be brought into the scheme must be known; and the irrigation scheme must proceed strictly along business lines. The same philosophy is still very relevant today. The Institute was involved with the soil investigations and irrigation planning of all the major irrigation schemes in South Africa. More than 80 years ago, a Soil Survey Division was established whose main function was to examine proposed irrigation schemes. A review of such soil surveys reveals that soils free of limitations for irrigation are limited in their extent.

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