The effects of five leaching depths and four salinity levels of the irrigation water on the salinity of a Neossol Fluvent and the productivity of sugar beet crop were studied using drainage lysimeters. A completely randomized experimental design was used with four replications, the treatments being displayed in a factorial scheme with four electrical conductivity levels of the irrigation water (1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1 at 25 °C) and five leaching depths equivalent to 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 of the soil pores volume or 53, 106, 159, 206 e 248 mm, respectively. The crop productivity and the salinity of soil and leachate were evaluated. The results showed increased salinity in the leachate with the decrease in the leaching depth. At the end of the crop cycle, the highest salinity in the soil profile corresponded to treatments receiving both the lowest leaching depths and water salinities. The total sugar beet productivity and the yield of the roots with diameters larger than 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 cm were not affected by the salinity levels of the irrigation water nor the leaching depths.
drainage lysimeter; salt leaching; electrical conductivity
