Effect of Onion Bed Shape on Accumulation of Soluble Salts and Sodium

An experiment was conducted to examine the effectiveness of knifing a vshaped notch into the center of raised onion beds for reducing soluble salt accumulation in the seed rows. Sodium salts accumulated within an 18 inch wide band in the top six inches of the knifed raised bed profile. Sodium salts accumulated primarily within a narrow six inch wide band, and to a somewhat lesser extent, within an 18 inch wide band in the top six inches of the conventional raised bed profile. Total soluble salts accumulated primarily within a six inch wide band in the top six inches of the knifed and conventional onion raised bed profiles.