The effect of irrigation water quality on soil properties under center pivot irrigation systems in central Saudi Arabia

Abstract

A field experiments were conducted for three growing seasons (2007 to 2009) at five different sites of soil types and salinity levels. Five different ground water qualities were used to irrigate five fields each with area of 50 to 54 hectares planted with wheat crop and the irrigation system used at each field was center pivot sprinkler system. The irrigated fields were located at different locations of Riyadh region in Saudi Arabia. The soil samples were taken at different depths (10, 20, 40, 60 cm) The quality effect of irrigation water on each soil salinity at each depth was determined. The results showed that all irrigated fields have differed in salt concentration as indicated by soil electrical conductivity (EC e ) values of the saturated paste extracts. The soil salinity in some fields decreased and increased in other soils, and the distribution of salts through the soil profile is highly correlated with the salinity of irrigation water and soil type. Saline water increased the soil salt content throughout the profile to a greater extent than nonsaline water. Thus, the salts accumulation in soil of field 4 and 5 was closely related to the salt concentration of irrigation water, and there was a progressive and significant increase in soil salinity values as the salinity of irrigation water increases. Also, the obtained results showed that the decrease or increase in soil salinity through the soil profiles for all fields occurred mainly at first season and slight increase in the following two seasons, and not with the increase of the number of seasons, and the soil salinity values remains closely the same and does not influenced by the prolonged use of low or high salinity waters for a number of years for all fields during the study.

Irrigation Practices and Their Effects on Soil Quality and Soil Characteristics in Arid Lands: A Comprehensive Geomatic Analysis

“…It is essential to consider the potential limitations of these alkaline soils, such as reduced availability of certain nutrients like phosphorus, as well as potential metal deficiencies [51]. Proper nutrient management strategies and soil amendments may be necessary to address these issues and ensure optimal plant growth and productivity in the study area [52]. In irrigated alluvial soils, the electrical conductivity (EC) was found to be significantly higher, with a 52.63% increase compared to adjacent rain-fed coastal marine soils, as shown in Figure 4f.…”

Spatiotemporal variation in soil salinity under irrigated fields at Bochessa catchment in Central Ethiopia

“…Soil pH was determined using a pH meter, while soil salinity was evaluated by measuring the EC of saturated soil paste extracts (ECe) using an EC meter (Al-Ghobari, 2011). The OC content of the soils was determined following the wet digestion method as described by Walkley and Black (1934), while the organic matter (OM) content of the soils was determined by multiplying the %OC by 1.724.…”

Surface Seeding of Wheat: A Sustainable Way towards Climate Resilience Agriculture

“…Improved nutrition can improve quality of life, reduce disease, raise labor productivity, and boost children's academic achievement [55]. Sun et al [56] report that increased irrigation significantly increases the bulk density (BD) of soil by 5% to 8% in the upper 20 cm, and decreases salt concentrations [57]. Irrigation enhances the nutrients availability to the crop.…”