Chemistry of groundwater of Al-Ahsa Oasis eastern region Saudi Arabia and its predictive effects on soil properties

Saudi Arabia is an arid and the largest country in the middle east with a total land area of 2.253 x 10(6) km2. Recent urban and rural expansion has shown manifold increases in water use in various sectors. Water resources are limited and non-renewable coupled with unpredicted scanty rainfall. In order to meet the rising water needs, evaluation of water quality is important for allocation to various uses. A total of 101 well water samples were collected from Al-Ahsa Oasis. Water samples were analyzed for total salt concentration, pH, Ca, Mg, Na, K, HCO3, Cl, SO4, NO3, F and B contents. Soil Salinity Development (SSD), adjusted sodium adsorption ratio (adj.SAR), adjusted sodium adsorption ratio (adj. R(Na)) and Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) were calculated. The EC of groundwater ranged between 1.23 and 5.05 dS m(-1). Sodium was the most abundant cation followed by Ca, Mg and K in descending order. Chloride was the most abundant anion followed by SO4 and HCO3 in groundwater of Al-Ahsa Oasis. A significant correlation was found between Na and Cl (R2 = 0.936). Thermodynamics calculation revealed that an appreciable amount of Ca and Mg is associated with Cl and SO4 ions. The SAR and ESP values are within the permissible limits according to Ayers and Westcot, 1985. The NO3 concentration is within safe limits for drinking purpose according to WHO (1998) standards. The Saturation Indices (SI) indicated that groundwater is under-saturated (negative SI) with respect to certain minerals (for example: calcite, dolomite, gypsum, anhydrite, halite, pyrite, fluorite and aragonite) and oversaturated (positive SI) with respect to some other minerals (For example: Goethite, Siderite and hematite). The negative saturation index (SI) reveals that most of minerals are in un-saturated state and will dissolve more Ca and Mg into the soil solution after irrigation. A good relationship exists between Cl and other ions (Na, Ca and Mg) as well as between SO4 and Ca and Mg ion of groundwater. The salinity and sodicity hazards of groundwater of Al-Ahsa Oasis were classified as C3S1 and C4S2 i.e., high salinity with medium sodicity problems. The predicted soil salinity suggested application of 15-20% leaching requirements to keep soil salinity within permissible limits. Cultivation of slight to moderate salt and sodium tolerant crops is recommended for optimal agricultural production and efficient water use.     

硒锌交互对春茶硒化学形态的影响

通过叶面配合喷施不同浓度亚硒酸钠（Na₂SeO₃）和醋酸锌[(CH₃COO)₂Zn·2H₂O],研究硒（Se）、锌（Zn）及硒锌交互（Se-Zn）作用对春茶硒化学形态的影响。结果表明：（1）单独喷施Na₂SeO₃均能提高醇溶态、水溶态、盐溶态的硒含量,尤以200~400 μg/mL的硒处理对春茶中硒的含量提高效应明显,其中醇溶态硒占总量的比例最大,水溶态次之,盐溶态最小,且醇溶态、水溶态硒占总量的比例分别较对照有不同程度的增加;（2）0.20%~0.40%的锌对3种化学形态硒含量有显著的提高效应,而高浓度锌（1.20%）抑制3种形态硒的吸收;（3）低浓度硒（50 μg/mL）与不同浓度的锌配比,3种形态的硒含量整体都较低,醇溶态、水溶态硒所占比例差异不显著,但均显著大于盐溶态,其余浓度的硒锌配比,硒的化学形态分布与单硒相似,200~400 μg/mL的硒与0.40%~0.80%的锌配合喷施,3种化学形态硒含量提高效应最明显,醇溶态、水溶态硒的比例分别较对照有不同程度的增加,又以200 μg/mL的硒与0.80%的锌配比效果最好。     

深松和灌水次数对春玉米耗水特性及产量的影响

试验设置深松条件下灌水3次和4次(SI3和SI4)两个处理,以常规浅旋耕灌水3次和4次(RI3和RI4)为对照,研究深松及灌水次数对超高产春玉米生育期耗水规律、灌浆特性及产量的影响。结果表明,与常规浅旋耕相比较,深松处理可显著改善40~100 cm深层土壤水分条件,为深层根系的水分吸收提供保障,促进春玉米生长发育。深松处理较浅旋耕处理生产单位玉米平均节水量为0.149 m~3/kg,节水6.66%,单位耗水量增产量为0.322 kg/m~3,增产7.17%。相同灌水次数条件下,深松处理显著提高春玉米产量构成因素,增产达12.47%。     

行间覆膜对内蒙古河套灌区春玉米水分利用效率及土壤排盐量的影响

试验于2009～2010年在内蒙古河套灌区进行,设行上覆膜、行间覆膜和不覆膜(CK)3个处理,分析河套灌区盐渍化土壤覆膜对春玉米土壤水分运移及利用的影响,挖掘春玉米农艺节水机制。结果表明,行间覆膜显著减少土壤供水消耗,提高灌水利用率和降水利用率,总耗水量降低。行间覆膜通过改变春玉米阶段耗水量、日耗水量和耗水模系数,达到各时期土壤水分最适比例;行间覆膜处理水分利用效率较对照分别提高了20.05%和57.13%;覆膜能很好地抑制土壤返盐,行间覆膜处理0~80 cm土层可溶性盐分降低了1.30 g/kg,可有效预防土壤板结,显著提高灌水效率和灌水均匀度。     

Regulation of root-to-leaf Na and Cl transport and its association with photosynthetic activity in salt-tolerant soybean genotypes

ABSTRACT

Soil salinity is a major constraint to sustainable crop production. Genetic improvements are needed for growing soybean in salinity-prone environments. Salt-tolerant soybean genotypes alleviate a reduction in photosynthesis and growth under saline conditions; however, the detailed mechanisms involved remain unclear. Here, we aimed to clarify how Na and Cl root-to-leaf transport is quantitatively regulated, and to identify whether photosynthetic tolerance depends on traits associated with either stomata or with mesophyll tissues. Two pairs of pot-grown soybean near-isogenic lines (NILs) consisting of tolerant and susceptible counterparts, derived from a cross between salt-tolerant FT-Abyara and salt-sensitive C01, were subjected to salinity treatment in a rainout greenhouse. Comparison of photosynthetic responses between genotypes indicated that genotypic differences in salinity tolerance depended on the ability for sustained CO₂ assimilation in mesophyll tissues, rather than stomatal conductance. The ratio of photosynthetic rate to intercellular CO₂ concentration (A/Ci) declined exponentially with increasing Na and Cl concentration regardless of genotype, but tolerant genotypes effectively kept both elements at significantly low levels. Under saline conditions, tolerant genotypes reduced Na and Cl content at the two transport pathways: from root to stem, and from stem to leaf, but the reduction of Cl at each pathway was only minor. These results suggest that integrating genetic capacity for Cl transport regulation and osmotic adjustment should be an important target in salinity-tolerance soybean breeding.     

Long-Term Reuse of Drainage Waters of Varying Salinities for Crop Irrigation in a Cotton-Safflower Rotation System in the San Joaquin Valley of California—A Nine Year Study: I. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Summary

Use of saline drainage water for crop irrigation was evaluated as a means of decreasing its volume. Results of a nine-year crop rotation (cotton-cotton-safflower, × 3) in which only the cotton was irrigated with drainage water of 400, 1,500, 3,000, 4,500, 6,000, and 9,000 ppm total dissolved salts are presented. The different salinity levels of irrigation waters were achieved by mixing nonsaline canal water (400 ppm) and saline drainage water. Cotton lint yields were not affected by increased salinity level of the irrigation water for the first two years. Detrimental effects became evident in the third cotton crop with increasing severity in later years. In the fifth year of cotton (seventh year of the study), lint yields were adversely affected by waters of salinity greater than 3,000 ppm. However, fiber quality remained unaffected at all levels of irrigation water salinity. The reductions in lint yield appeared to be a function of time and the salinity level of applied water. Shoot height and biomass were reduced by the irrigation water salinity before lint yields. Stand establishment appeared to be the most sensitive to salinity and was perhaps the main reason for yield reduction. Increase in irrigation water salinity increased Na⁺ content of leaf blades and petioles and decreased K⁺/Na⁺ ratio of leaf blades and petioles. The study showed that irrigation waters of up to 3,000 ppm salinity may be used for four years without any yield reductions, as long as some leaching occurs through preplant irrigations with low salinity water. Data on crop growth and development and ionic content collected over the nine year period are presented.     

Salinity intrusion and rice production in Red River Delta under changing climate conditions

This study was carried out to identify the vulnerability of rice production to salinity intrusion arising from climate change in Giao Thuy, a coastal district of Nam Dinh Province, located in Red River Delta in Vietnam. From the analysis of historical climate data at Nam Dinh city, both mean maximum and minimum temperatures increased by about 0.3 and 0.1 °C per decade, respectively, during the period of 1961–2010. Salt concentration of the river water was higher at the irrigation gate closer to river mouth (Con Nhat) than at the upstream gate (Ha Mieu), which generally increased from 2003 to 2012, with the average maximum concentration up to 2.13 % at Con Nhat gate in 2010. The salt water concentration in the riverside field outside the dyke reached 3.6 %, while among the fields within dyke the salinity was only 0.7 % at maximum in January 2013, and the values were higher in paddy fields close to the dyke than far from the dyke. Average yield among the selected 27 fields from 2011 summer to 2013 spring rice was higher in spring rice (748 g m^?2) but lower in summer rice (417 g m^?2) mainly due to unfavorable weather such as cold spell at flowering and flood at harvesting time. Rice yield was lowest in general in the most downstream commune Giao Thien, and was significantly lower in field located close to the dyke than those far from the dyke. This spatial variability of rice yield may not be directly attributable to salinity, but to the other factors such as shift of irrigation intake gate to further upstream and/or different management such as less input of N fertilizer and use of traditional local variety.     

盐胁迫对垂盆草生长和生理特性的影响

以垂盆草为材料,研究不同浓度NaCl[0(对照)、25、50、100、150、200 mmol/L]对垂盆草生长和生理特性的影响.结果表明:与对照相比,随着NaC1浓度的增加,垂盆草鲜重、干重、含水量、K+含量、根Na+/叶Na+、叶的K+/Na+和SOD活性均呈下降趋势;而Na+、游离氨基酸、可溶性糖、有机酸、脯氨酸、丙二醛含量和质膜透性均呈上升趋势;叶绿素含量、硝酸还原酶活性呈先上升后下降趋势,而NO3-含量则呈相反的变化趋势.综合分析显示,盐胁迫对垂盆草生长有抑制作用,其耐盐阈值为100 mmol/L NaCl;盐胁迫下垂盆草通过积累Na+、有机酸、游离氨基酸、可溶性糖、脯氨酸进行渗透调节.     

Sweet sorghum productivity for biofuels under increased soil salinity and reduced irrigation

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) is a drought-tolerant crop with high resistance to saline-alkaline soils, and sweet sorghum may serve as an alternative summer crop for biofuel production in areas where irrigation water is limited. A two-year study was conducted in Northern Greece to assess the productivity (biomass, juice, total sugar and theoretical ethanol yields) of four sweet sorghum cultivars (Sugar graze, M-81E, Urja and Topper-76-6), one grain sorghum cultivar (KN-300) and one grass sorghum cultivar (Susu) grown in intermediate (3.2 dS m⁻¹) or in high (6.9 dS m⁻¹) soil salinity with either low (120 mm) or intermediate (210 mm) irrigation water supply (supplemented with 142–261 mm of rainfall during growth). The soil salinity and irrigation water supply effects on the sorghum chlorophyll content index, photosystem II quantum yield, stomatal conductance and leaf K/Na ratio were also determined. The sorghum emergence averaged 75,083 plants ha⁻¹ and 59,917 plants ha⁻¹ in a soil salinity of 3.2 dS m⁻¹ and 6.9 dS m⁻¹, respectively. The most affected cultivar, as averaged across the two soil salinity levels, was the Susu grass sorghum emerging at 53,250 plants ha⁻¹, followed by the Topper-76-6 sweet sorghum emerging at 61,250 plants ha⁻¹. The leaf K/Na ratio decreased with decreasing irrigation water supply, in most cases, but it was not significantly affected by soil salinity. The dry biomass, juice and total sugar yields of sorghum that received 210 mm of irrigation water was 49–88% greater than the yields of sorghum that received the 120 mm of irrigation water. Sorghum plants grown in a soil salinity of 3.2 dS m⁻¹ produced 42–58% greater dry biomass, juice and total sugar yields than the yields of sorghum plants grown in a soil salinity of 6.9 dS m⁻¹. The greatest theoretical ethanol yield was produced by sweet sorghum plants grown in a soil salinity of 3.2 dS m⁻¹ with 210 mm of irrigation water (6130 L ha⁻¹, as averaged across cultivar), and the Urja and Sugar graze cultivars produced the most ethanol (7620 L ha⁻¹ and 6528 L ha⁻¹, respectively). Conclusively, sweet sorghum provided sufficient juice, total sugar and ethanol yields in fields with a soil salinity of 3.2 dS m⁻¹, even if the plants received 50–75% of the irrigation water typically applied to sorghum.     

混合盐碱胁迫对高粱幼苗的影响

用50，100，200，300mmol/L含有不同比例NaCl,Na2SO4,NaHCO3和Na2CO3的混合盐溶液对高粱（Sorghum bicolor L.）幼苗进行混合盐碱胁迫处理。测定高粱幼苗存活率、相对生长率、相对含水量、相对根系活力以及电解质外渗率等胁变指标。结果表明：上述各项胁变反应均随盐浓度和碱性盐比例增加而加剧，由碱性盐造成的高pH所致的胁变效应与盐浓度之间相关：即低盐度时pH作用较小，随盐度增大其作用加剧。在碱胁迫较弱时胁变主要受盐度影响，随碱胁迫增大pH成为影响胁变的主要因素。在高盐高碱条件下，盐胁迫与碱胁迫间具有协同作用。     

The effect of the ground water of three different locations on some morphometric measurements of broiler chicken in Jeddah-Saudi Arabia

In this study, the ground water from three different regions in Saudi Arabia; Hada El-Sham (G0), Om Al-Jood (G1) and El-Wazeria (G2) were tested to evaluate their suitability of using. For this purpose, the ground water were analysed and the physico-chemical characteristics were determined. The measured parameters were; pH, Total Dissolved Salts (TDS), Total Hardness (TH), Total Alkalinity (TA), cation (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and anion (NO3, SO4) concentrations. One hundred and currently from 21 day to six weeks broiler chicken were reared on the ground water of these locations and their morphometric measurements (body weight, feed and water consumption and feed assimilation) were recorded. From this study, it was noted that the ground water of G0 and G1 are very pure to be used in irrigation and drinking as they contain TDS less than 1100 ppm, whereas water of G2 cannot be used as the TDS value is 2650 ppm. However, the ground water of the three regions is not suitable for any kind of industry. Reared chicken in G0 were characterized by the highest growth rate despite of their lower rates of feed and water consumption. In G1, chicken had medium rates of growth and water consumption with higher rate of feed consumption. While chicken from G2 recorded the lowest growth rate and highest rate of water consumption due to the higher salt content of this water.     

Lesquerella growth and selenium uptake affected by saline irrigation water composition

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of waters differing in salt composition on growth and selenium (Se) accumulation by lesquerella (Lesquerella fendleri Gray S. Wats.). Plants were established by direct seeding into sand cultures and irrigated with solutions containing either (a) Cl⁻ as the dominant anion or (b) a mixture of salts of SO₄²⁻ and Cl⁻. Four treatments of each salinity type were imposed. Electrical conductivities of the irrigation waters were 1.7, 4, 8, and 13 dS m⁻¹. Two months after salinization, Se (l mg l⁻¹, 12.7 μM) was added to all solutions as Na₂SeO₄. Shoot growth was significantly reduced by increasing Cl-salinity. Regardless of salinity type, concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, total-S, and Se were higher in the leaves than the stems, whereas K⁺ and Na⁺ were higher in the stem. Leaf-Se concentrations were not significantly affected by Cl-based irrigation waters, averaging 503 mg Se kg⁻¹ dry wt across salinity levels, whereas leaf-Se decreased consistently and significantly from 218 to 13 mg kg⁻¹ as mixed salt salinity increased. The dramatic reduction in Se was attributed to SO₄²⁻:SeO₄²⁻ competition during plant uptake. The strong Se-accumulating ability of lesquerella suggests that the crop should be further evaluated as a potentially valuable phytoremediator of Se-contaminated soils and waters of low to moderate salinity in areas where the dominant anion in the substrate is Cl⁻.     

Effects of saline irrigation water and heat waves on potato production in an arid environment

Production of spring potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Désirée) on a deep sandy soil in the central highland of the Negev desert of Israel under drip irrigation with saline water (up to 6.2 dS m⁻¹) was studied in the years 1992–1997. The objective of the study was to determine the effects of saline water irrigation on potato production in an arid environment with special focus on the interactions with weather conditions. Although yields were often high, salinity effects were evident in some years. Thus 1992 and 1996 yields were 6–7 kg m⁻² and showed no significant effect of salinity, while a pronounced drop in yield with increasing salinity was observed in 1993 and 1994. Analysis of weather data for 1993–1994 suggests that the decline in yield was due to interactions between saline irrigation and prolonged heat wave events occurring during crop development. Further experimental work (1997) revealed that tuber yield was most sensitive to combined salt and heat stress when heat waves occurred at 40–60 days after emergence. The combined stress apparently leads to the collapse of mechanisms for avoiding salt accumulation in young expanding leaves, resulting in failure of vegetative growth recovery and a consequent reduction in the leaf area index and canopy functioning. The relationship between tuber sink demand and available photoassimilate supply at certain stages of plant development is discussed with reference to the ability of the potato plant to recover from the combined stress.     

不同水分条件下冬小麦旗叶和穗器官的PEPC活性及其与粒重和蛋白质含量的关系

为了明确小麦叶与非叶器官磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧化酶 (PEPC) 活性对水分胁迫的反应,在春不浇水和春浇2水两种水分条件下,对11个冬小麦品种旗叶、穗、颖片及籽粒的PEPC活性进行了测定,并分析了该酶活性与粒重和蛋白质含量的关系.结果表明,小麦不同品种和不同器官间PEPC活性存在明显差异,且受水分条件的影响.与正常供水处理(春浇2水)相比,水分胁迫处理(春不浇水)灌浆期旗叶PEPC活性下降,而颖片PEPC活性相对稳定,籽粒PEPC活性上升.水分胁迫使最终粒重降低、蛋白质含量增加.相关分析表明,灌浆期旗叶PEPC活性与粒重呈显著正相关(r＝0.504~*),颖片PEPC活性与籽粒蛋白质含量呈弱的正相关,籽粒PEPC活性与籽粒蛋白质含量呈极显著正相关(r＝0.692~(**)).     

水肥耦合对干热河谷冬春番茄产量及其品质的影响

干热河谷等“热区”以其充足的光照及相对较高的温度为冬春季蔬菜生产提供了重要条件,合理的水肥管理是保障区域蔬菜产业可持续发展及农业环境安全的重要举措。为提高西南热区特色作物水肥管理能力,巩固北方冬春蔬菜供应链,设置不同灌溉量（4469.10、2253.60、1806.70 m³/hm²）和施氮量（240、210、180、150 kg/hm²）2个因子,在元谋干热河谷开展冬春季节番茄大田试验,分析比较不同水氮处理对番茄产量、品质及其水肥利用效率的影响。结果表明：（1）降低灌溉定额后,番茄单果重显著增加（P<0.05）,总产量无显著差异（P>0.05）,番茄果横径和果梗洼大小显著增加（P<0.05）,糖含量和番茄红素显著降低（P<0.05）,水分利用效率显著提高（P<0.05）;（2）氮肥施用量显著影响番茄果梗洼大小（P<0.05）;（3）水氮耦合作用显著影响糖含量和番茄红素（P<0.05）,番茄产量和品质更易受水分供应限制,而受氮肥影响较小。结果显示元谋冬春茬番茄传统种植模式存在过量灌溉和过量施肥的现象,选择低水（灌溉定额1806.70 m³/hm²）中氮（180 kg N/hm²）的水肥管理策略,保产的同时能有效提高番茄水分利用效率,能产出品质较好的番茄,同时减小环境污染风险。     

The Use of Saline Water in Agriculture in the Near East and North Africa Region: Present and Future

SUMMARY

Salinity is a major problem that negatively impacts agricultural activities in many regions in the world, and especially the Near East and North Africa region. Generally, salinity problems increase with increasing salt concentration in irrigation water. Crop growth reduction due to salinity is generally related to the osmotic potential of the root-zone soil solution. This will lead to certain phenological changes and substantial reduction in productivity. Salinity also affects the soil physical properties. Sewage treated wastewater is an alternative water source for irrigation. Using such wastewater will provide a new water resource to expand agricultural activities as well as reduce the environmental pollution. Each country in the region has a unique system of rules and regulations to protect the quality of water resources. Important aspects that should be taken into account when using wastewater for irrigation are discussed, including some information on the different irrigation systems used in the region, and the factors leading to success of using saline water for economic crop production. Information on the use of saline water or marginal saline soils for wheat production and improvement of irrigation systems, including old land irrigation systems, under Egyptian conditions is also presented. The regional experiences and the future prospects of using saline water for crop production that vary greatly among countries in the Near East and North Africa region are summarized. This article also presents information on special cultivation methods, such as protected agriculture and soilless culture that can help in alleviating the salinity effects. Finally, the article includes some examples on the inherited knowledge for saline agriculture that conveys the grower's experience in the Near East and North Africa region where several living examples for unique and sustainable cultivation system are still in operation. One of the most impressive cultivation techniques for bio-saline crop management in Egypt is the Edkawy production system.     

灌水模式对春小麦光合性能和干物质生产的影响

为探寻宁夏引黄灌区春小麦节水栽培的适宜灌水模式,比较分析了6个不同灌水处理(W1:二棱水+开花水;W2:二棱水;W3:拔节水;W4:二棱水+孕穗水;W5:二棱水+拔节水+孕穗水+开花水+灌浆水;W6:二棱水+拔节水+孕穗水+开花水)下春小麦光合性能、物质积累与转运、产量性状及水分利用的差异。结果表明,灌二棱水、孕穗水或开花水的W1、W4、W5、W6处理明显增加春小麦花后旗叶光合速率、蒸腾速率和气孔导度,灌二棱水和生育后期少灌水的W1、W2、W4处理明显增加花后旗叶胞间CO2浓度。灌水次数减少会显著增加旗叶SPAD值,并降低叶面积系数,其中以缺少二棱水的W3处理最为明显。灌有二棱水和孕穗水的W4处理明显降低抽穗至开花旗叶SPAD值,增加开花至灌浆旗叶SPAD值和抽穗至开花叶面积系数,灌开花水明显增加开花至灌浆旗叶面积。灌二棱水、拔节水、孕穗水、开花水明显促进了干物质积累,灌水次数增加明显增加了叶干物质积累量,并降低茎鞘干物质比例;缺少二棱水的W3处理最不利于叶、穗干物质积累,但提高了开花至成熟叶干物质比例;灌浆水对各器官干物质积累影响不明显。二棱期至开花期缺少灌水的W1、W3、W2处理促进了开花前贮藏同化物在花后向籽粒的转运。籽粒产量随灌水次数的增加而增加;缺少二棱水明显降低穗粒数、收获指数,但增加千粒重;增加灌水次数降低了灌水利用效率,且以灌二棱水影响最为明显。综上所述,缺少二棱水对春小麦产量影响最明显,孕穗水、开花水影响次之,灌浆水影响不明显。     

内蒙古河套灌区春小麦高产节水灌溉制度研究

为给河套灌区春小麦高产节水灌溉制度的建立提供理论依据,2006-2007年在内蒙古河套平原浅层地下水灌区,研究了不同灌水处理下春小麦产量形成、耗水组成及水分利用效率的特点.结果表明,随着灌水量的增加,小麦生育期总耗水量明显增加,而水分利用效率显著降低;总耗水的增加主要是由于灌溉水消耗增多所致,地下水补给量则随灌水量增加呈明显减少趋势.小麦生育期总灌水量与产量和水分利用效率均呈抛物线关系,产量达峰值时的灌水量大于水分利用效率达峰值时的灌水量.综合两年试验结果得出,在秋季浇足底墒水的基础上,春浇2水是实现春小麦节水与高产相统一的最佳灌溉模式,即在小麦分蘖至拔节期、抽穗至开花期灌2次水,每次灌水750～1050 m3·hm 2,产量和水分利用效率可分别达到6750 kg·hm-2和1.75 kg·m-3以上.     

Effect of Irrigation Water Quality Under Supplementary Irrigation on Soil Chemical and Physical Properties in the “Southern Humid Pampas” of Argentina

Summary

Salinity and sodicity were quantified at five locations irrigated with central pivots and different water qualities in the southeast of Buenos Aires Province. Changes in electrical conductivity (EC_e) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR_e) of saturated soil extract were determined from soil cores collected to a depth of 0.6 m between 1996 and 1998. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity was measured with disk in-filtrometers. Soil from one location, Balcarce, was treated with synthetic waters to obtain variable levels of SAR_e. Laboratory studies on optical transmission (OT), aggregate percentage (AP), and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) were performed.

Infiltration of rainfall caused a substantial dilution of salt concentration. Changes in sodicity were persistent, but tended to stabilize between SAR_e = 5 to SAR_e = 7. When irrigation was discontinued for a year and 1129 mm of rainfall leached the soil, the SAR_e value decreased from 5.3 to 1.8.

Ks showed a threshold at exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of 5. The results from the Ks laboratory experiment were non-consistent with field estimation of Ks using disk infiltrometers.     

Evaluation of the management practice for controlling herbicide runoff from paddy fields using intermittent and spillover-irrigation schemes

Two water management practices, an intermittent irrigation scheme using automatic irrigation system (AI) and a spillover-irrigation scheme (SI), were compared for the fate and transport of commonly used herbicides, mefenacet (MF) and bensulfuron-methyl (BSM) in experimental paddy plots. Maximum mefenacet concentrations in paddy water were 660 and 540 μg L⁻¹ for AI and SI plot, respectively. The corresponding values for bensulfuron-methyl were 46.0 and 42.0 μg L⁻¹. Dissipation of the herbicides in paddy water appeared to follow the first-order kinetics with half-lives (DT₅₀) of 1.9–4.5 days and DT₉₀ (90% mass dissipation) of 7.8–11.3 days. The AI plot had no surface drainage, hence no herbicide was lost through paddy-water discharge. However, SI plot lost about 38 and 49% of applied mefenacet and bensulfuron-methyl, respectively. The intermittent irrigation scheme using automatic irrigation system with a high drainage gate was recommended to be a best management practice for controlling the herbicide losses from paddy fields. The paddy field managed by spillover-irrigation scheme may cause significant water and herbicide losses depending on the volume of irrigation and precipitation. The water holding period after herbicide application was suggested to be at least 10 days according to the DT₉₀ index.