Implication of groundwater fluctuation on the seasonal salt dynamic in the Harran Plain, south‐eastern Turkey

Abstract

Inefficient farm-level water management aggravates groundwater fluctuation and salt accumulation particularly in arid and semi-arid irrigated agriculture. Inappropriate water management practices in the Harran Plain are a good example. A study was carried out to investigate the effect of groundwater fluctuation on the seasonal salt dynamic in four widespread soil series in the Harran Plain with different natural drainage, south-eastern Turkey. Four profiles were excavated and soil samples were collected seasonally up to 100 cm depth with 10 cm intervals. Similarly, irrigation and groundwater samples were collected from the fields where soil sampling was carried out. Significant seasonal variations in the salt dynamic were observed with the fluctuation levels of the groundwater. Total salt content at 1 m soil depth remained constant during the year, however salt fluctuation throughout the root zone in the growing season exceeded the threshold values of corn, wheat and cotton, commonly grown crops in the region, of 1.7, 6.0 and 7.7 dSm1, respectively. However, soils with less water fluctuation showed lower salt accumulation in the root zone from May to October. Results also confirmed that soils can be non-saline, but groundwater salinity, which may not be point specific, requires special attention

The Use of Hyperspectral Visible and Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy for the Characterization of Salt-Affected Soils in the Harran Plain, Turkey

“…The soils of the study area have high pH, CaCO 3 and cation exchange capacity (CEC) but low soil organic matter content. The particle-size distribution reveals that soils are heavy clayey in texture down to 100 cm depth (Cullu et al, 2009).…”

Threats to Sustainability of Soil Functions in Central and Southeast Europe

“…Intensive tillage of saline soils in arid regions will destroy aggaegates, increase the capillary rise of salts to soil surface and eventually leave soils vulnarable to wind erosion (Figure 4). Unsustainable irrigation practices and inappropriate water management at the farm-level stimulates raising of groundwater and contributes to salt accumulation, particularly in irrigated fields of arid and semi-arid regions [62], and eventually causes salt-induced land degradation. The potential of economically irrigable agricultural lands in Turkey is about 8.5 million ha, of which 4.9 million ha are now irrigated.…”

“…The potential of economically irrigable agricultural lands in Turkey is about 8.5 million ha, of which 4.9 million ha are now irrigated. The government has initiated many projects to expand the irrigated area, strengthen the economy, and meet a growing food demand based on agriculture [62]. The Southeastern Anatolia Project, commonly referred to by its Turkish acronym "GAP", is about to be completed as a large integrated water resources development project in the semi-arid Southeastern region of Turkey.…”

Use of Hyperspectral Reflectance Sensing for Assessing Growth and Chlorophyll Content of Spring Wheat Grown under Simulated Saline Field Conditions

“…Most studies on the evaluation of salt tolerance of genotypes have been conducted under ideal controlled conditions (greenhouse or growth chamber) using homogenous growth media such as sand or hydroponic systems [5,7]. Studies conducted under field conditions with natural saline soils are limited because of substantial horizontal and vertical variations in the salt concentrations within the field [47,48]. This variability in the salinity leads to considerable heterogeneity in plant growth within the field even within short distances.…”