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The scarcity of fresh water in arid regions makes saline water a valuable alternative water source for irrigation. Although saline-water use for agricultural irrigation is associated with some reduction in the yield, it is coupled with improved yield quality, as expressed by higher total soluble solids content.

Field experiments which are in progress in a pear orchard verify that under subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) with saline water, reasonable yields can be obtained. Moisture and salinity distribution under SDI are better adjusted to the root pattern in the soil, in comparison with the conventional drip irrigation (DI). These distribution patterns explain, to some extent,the reaction of trees to saline-water application. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.