Reducing water quality degradation through minimized leaching management

Abstract The U.S.A. has adopted a policy of enhancing water quality and of conserving natural resources. The concept of minimized leaching has been advanced to help meet these goals by reducing salinity pollution from irrigated agriculture. It has received considerable attention by those concerned with management of water resources and is promoted by some as a generally applicable method for minimizing salinity pollution. This paper reviews the basis of the concept and identifies the conditions under which minimized leaching will and will not enhance water quality.