LAUSR

Global water scarcity and salinity of irrigated lands remain a concern. Shallow groundwater tables, often present in irrigation areas, may serve as energy‐efficient water sources, but they may also restrict leaching. This study quantified the salinity effects on water use and grain yield of irrigated malt barley in the presence of a shallow groundwater table. A lysimeter experiment was conducted over two seasons on sandy and sandy loam soils in Bloemfontein, South Africa. A Cocktail barley cultivar was irrigated with five irrigation water quality levels (ECi), i.e. control (1.5), 4.5, 6, 9 and 12 dS m−1. Salinity of the constant (1.2 m) groundwater table corresponded to ECi.