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Salt Effects on Cranberry Soils, Plant Growth, and Productivity

The Massachusetts Highway Department (MassHighway) engages in Environmental Stewardship as part of its mission "To support the construction and maintenance activities that provide the Commonwealth with safe roads and bridges and to protect and where possible enhance the environment." The use of salt for highway deicing is a necessary activity with potential for environmental impact through migration of salt into water supplies and through salt contamination of soils. Since cranberry farming is a significant land use in Southeastern Massachusetts, the research project described herein was undertaken by the UMass Amherst Cranberry Station with funding provided by MassHighway and the Federal Highway Administration. Salt applied to roads may migrate onto cranberry bogs and into their water supplies. Does salt adversely effect cranberry soils, growth, and/or productivity? If so, at what concentration are these effects apparent and what concentrations of salt would be present in affected cranberry soils or plants? The overall objective of this project was to define both chronic and acute salt concentrations in irrigation water that can adversely impact cranberry production systems by evaluating the effects of salt exposure on cranberry growth, yield, or soil chemistry. Based on these research results, there is good indication that a cranberry water supply containing Cl at 250 ppm or greater would be cause for concern and indicate the potential need for remedial action. Symptoms, soil chemistry changes, and possible growth stimulation at 100-125 ppm Cl indicate that a cranberry water supply containing 100 ppm or greater Cl for extended periods might also be cause for concern. Taking all of these results into account, setting the level of concern for Cl in cranberry irrigation water at 100 ppm appears warranted. This is well below the 250 ppm that was definitively associated with negative effects in greenhouse experiments and the 500 ppm that negatively affected growth in soil-free culture. Therefore, 100 ppm Cl is proposed as the level at which closer scrutiny of a water supply over time would be warranted. If the 100 ppm level persisted for more than 2 months, particularly during the irrigation season, chronic effects might become a concern. This Cl level is equivalent to ~ 165 ppm NaCl.

  • Record URL:
  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Massachusetts, East Wareham

    One State Bog Road, P.O. Box 569
    East Wareham, MA  United States  02538

    Massachusetts Department of Transportation

    10 Park Plaza
    Boston, MA  United States  02116

    Federal Highway Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • DeMoranville, Carolyn
    • Davenport, Joan
    • Roper, Teryl
  • Publication Date: 2005-6-30

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Edition: Final Report
  • Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 103p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01015059
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: SPRII.97.09, UMTC-06-01
  • Contract Numbers: ISA#8073
  • Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Jan 4 2006 3:29PM