In a field experiment conducted at Agriculture College, Dharwad during 1980-81,82-83 and 83-84, five treatment combinations of irrigation with only good water, only saline water and cycles of good and saline water were evaluated for their effect on cowpea growth and soil properties. Parity amongst the treatments was noticed during the first year. During second and third years, only saline water treatment (Ts) recorded 19 and 25.6 per cent decrease in yield over only good water, which was significant The irrigation cycle of 1 canal water: 2 saline water (tube well water) offered the best scope for utilizing saline water as there was no significant decrease in the yield. Generally, the pH of the soil increased with time, where as salinity increased from first to second year and decreased subsequently due to higher rainfall during that year. The salinity increased with increased use of saline water in the irrigation cycles.