Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) to study to soil water and salt movement under drip irrigation in a saline soil cultivated with melon

The issue of salinity in agricultural soils is a growing problem. Soil with a high sodium content in the root growth zone compromises plant health and growth. Irrigation is one of the main techniques used to reclaim high-salt soils, as water dilutes the sodium concentration. In this study, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is proposed as a reliable non-invasive technique to quantify sault movement during the irrigation process. The first step was to identify the best set up of electrodes for this type of investigation. 3D-ERT measurements were carried out in two different campaigns to identify the most suitable electrode distribution. The study area is a segment of land, located in Barbaruta (GR, Italy) and used for the cultivation of melons. The investigation site is characterised by irrigated soils in which an accumulation of sodium has occurred over time. To detect the movement of salt during the irrigation phases, ERT surveys were carried out before, during, and after the irrigation phases.