The salinity tolerance of golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii), ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea), and Gentry’s agave (Agave parryi truncata) was tested. Plants were irrigated with a solution of EC 0.6, 5.0, 10.0, and 15.0 dS/m. Duration of treatments were 18 weeks for saguaro and 26 weeks for the other three species. In general, fresh weight, dry weight, and moisture content decreased with increasing salinity levels, with the exception of saguaro dry weight which was not affected by the treatments, and ocotillo moisture content which increased with increasing salinity. Runoff was collected three times during the experiment and indicated that ion uptake was higher for barrel cactus than the other three species. EC of runoff averaged for all dates and species showed an increase of 17%, 54%, 46%, and 64% over the salinity treatment solutions of 0.6, 5.0, 10.0, and 15.0 dS/m, respectively.

The long-term use of reclaimed water for landscape maintenance and the effects on soil chemistry and soil structure were investigated. Irrigation with reclaimed versus potable water for five years or more affects chemical properties of soil. Soils irrigated with reclaimed versus potable water had higher EC. Monsoon precipitation had less of a leaching effect than anticipated and significantly reduced EC only on two out of 13 sites. Soils irrigated with reclaimed water had higher SAR values than those irrigated with potable water and can potentially develop infiltration problems in the future. Contour maps of the EC for three depths of one site as measured by soil samples and EC as predicted by EM38 measurements for pre- and post-monsoon sampling times were developed.

Severe freezing temperatures during January 2007 caused temporary and permanent damage in several species of ornamental landscape plants. The damage was exacerbated by three consecutive nights of frost and freezing temperatures lasting between 7and 14 hours each day. Observations of frost damage and recovery in Phoenix and Tucson were recorded.