Salt tolerance analysis of chickpea,faba bean and durum wheat varieties: II. Durum wheat

Seven varieties of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum), provided by ICARDA, were tested in a greenhouse experiment for their salt tolerance. Afterwards two varieties, differing in salt tolerance, were irrigated with waters of three different salinity levels in a lysimeter experiment to analyse their salt tolerance.The characteristics of the salt tolerant variety compared to the salt sensitive variety are:

• -a shorter growing season and earlier senescence;
• -a higher pre-dawn leaf water potential;
• -a stronger osmotic adjustment;
• -a better maintenance of the number of productive stems per plant.

Salt tolerance of durum wheat corresponds with drought tolerance because the tolerance is caused by earlier senescence and stronger osmotic adjustment, both reducing the transpiration of the plant.     

Response to soil salinity of two chickpea varieties differing in drought tolerance

Two chickpea varieties, differing in drought tolerance, were grown in lysimeters filled with clay, and were irrigated with waters of three different salinity levels. Under non-saline conditions, both varieties, slightly differing in pre-dawn leaf water potential during the growth period, gave almost the same yield.Salinity had a slight effect on the leaf water potential and the osmotic adjustment. Both were slightly higher for the drought tolerant variety, but much lower in comparison with sugar beet, tomato and lentil. The drought tolerant variety showed an earlier senescence in leaf and dry matter development and flowering which were accelerated by salinity. The drought sensitive variety, however, showed under slightly saline conditions (EC_e=2.5 dS/m) from 135 days after sowing onwards a different behaviour by the growth of new leaves and flowers, a delay in senescence, leading to the same yield as under non-saline conditions. Under saline conditions (EC_e=3.8 dS/m) the drought sensitive variety showed the same yield reduction of about 70% as the drought tolerant variety.     

Growth of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) as influenced by irrigation water salinity and time of salinization

A greenhouse study was conducted to investigate the response of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) to water salinity applied at different times of salinization. Faba beans were grown on loamy sand in pots and irrigated daily with modified half-strength Hoagland's solution. Salinization of the nutrient solution with NaCI and CaCl₂ (2:1 molar ratio) provided four treatment solutions with electrical conductivities of 2, 6, 10 and 14 dS m⁻¹ and was imposed on the tenth day from planting, and continued until day 30 (T1), from day 30 until day 50 (T2) and from day 50 to day 70 (T3) using a randomized block factorial design with five replications. The results indicated that faba bean was more sensitive to salinity during the vegetative stage and less sensitive at later stages. Water salinity significantly reduced the grain yield and grain number but did not affect grain weight. Vegetative growth decreased significantly by salinity stress during the three salinization periods but was more serious at the first stage.     

Analysis of several discharge rate–spacing–duration combinations in drip irrigation system

In order to study the use of water irrigation in a rational way, several combinations of discharge rate, irrigation duration and inter-emitter distances were tested. For instance, three dripper spacings of 30, 50 and 70 cm which delivered water volumes of 4, 8 and 16 l per dripper, respectively, and three discharge rates of 2, 4 and 8 l/h for each spacing, were applied.An overlapping of the wetted bulbs was observed at the end of the different irrigation experiments. The inter-dripper root-zone had an average water content of 45% and a coefficient of uniformity of 90%.The discharge rate of 2 l/h applied to a 70 cm dripper spacing was characterised by water losses of 15% due to the significant irrigation duration (8 h).From this study, we reach the following conclusions, specific to the soil type and practical culture.

• 1.The maximum irrigation duration does not exceed 4 h.
• 2.Two hours durations can be used for the different spacings, each of which was characterised by its own discharge rate.

     

Effect of initial soil salinity and subirrigation water salinity on potato tuber yield and size

A field lysimeter study was conducted to investigate the effect of initial soil salinity and salinity level of brackish subirrigation water on tuber weight and tuber size of three potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars (Kennebec, Norland and Russet Burbank) under simulated arid conditions. Both saline and non-saline initial soil conditions were simulated in a total of 36 lysimeters. Eighteen lysimeters were flushed with fresh water (0.2 dS/m), while the remaining 18 lysimeters were flushed with brackish water (2 dS/m). For each soil condition, two subirrigation water concentrations, 1 and 9 dS/m, were used in nine lysimeters each. For each subirrigation water treatment, three potato cultivars were grown. In all lysimeters, water table was maintained at 0.4 m from the soil surface. Arid conditions were simulated by covering the lysimeter top with plastic mulch, allowing the potato shoots to grow through a cut in the mulch. The average root zone salinities (EC_w) were found to be 1.2 and 1.5 dS/m in non-saline lysimeters subirrigated with 1 and 9 dS/m waters, respectively. The corresponding salinities were 3.2 and 3.7 dS/m in the saline lysimeters. Across cultivars, there was no significant effect of either initial soil salinity or subirrigation water salinity on total tuber weight. However, the weight of Grade A tubers was higher in non-saline soil than in saline soil. Kennebec and Russet Burbank Grade A tuber weights were not affected by the initial soil salinity. On the contrary, a significant reduction in Grade A and total tuber weight under initially saline soil was evident for the Norland cultivar.     

Response of two varieties of lentil to soil salanity

Two varieties of lentil were grown in tanks filled with clay, and were irrigated with waters containing three different levels of salinity. Salinity affected the germination and survival of the seedlings; the pre-dawn leaf-water potential and maximum osmotic adjustment; the development of leaf area, dry matter and number of flowers, and, finally, the yield.Lentil has a high water-use efficiency, about 2 kg m⁻³ under non-saline conditions, much higher than legumes such as broadbean and soybean. The crop, however, is much more salt sensitive and can only be grown on non-saline soils. At an EC_e of 2 dS/m, the limit between non-saline and slightly saline soils, the yield reduction is about 20% and at an EC_e of 3 dS/m it is 90–100%.The salt tolerance classification, made after a greenhouse experiment with nutritive solutions, was not confirmed by the experiments reported here.     

A review of slurry aeration 3. Performance of aerators

The two previous papers in this series have examined the factors affecting the aeration, mixing and foam control aspects of aerator performance. In this final paper, existing designs are reviewed to provide some guidance for the selection of aerators for farm use.The various types are classified as follows:

• 1.(a) compressed air,
• 2.(b) mechanical surface,
• 3.(c) mechanical subsurface,
• 4.(d) combined compressed air/mechanical, and
• 5.(e) pumped liquid.

Each group is assessed in terms of its principles of operation, the main factors influencing performance, and reported effectiveness in various liquids (including agricultural slurries wherever possible).     

The yield,quality and profitability of annual forage,perennial pasture and perennial forage systems under irrigation

Intensive fodder production systems were compared under irrigation in western New South Wales. The three basic systems studied were:

• 1.(1) Annual forages (Sorghum bicolor × S. sudanense plus Avena sativa).
• 2.(2) Perennial pasture (Paspalum dilatatum).
• 3.(3) Perennial forage (Medicago sativa).

The first two systems included nitrogen fertilizer or legume options, while the last had the option of including a perennial sorghum.Dry matter production was highest in the annual forage system (maximum of 30·5 tonnes ha⁻¹ year⁻¹), although annual establishment costs were higher than for perennial systems. The perennial pasture yielded 21·5 tonnes ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ but, like the annual forage system, 250 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ was required to obtain this yield. The perennial forage yielded 19·8 tonnes ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ without nitrogen fertilizer. Furthermore, it yielded more digestible dry matter and nitrogen than any other system.Although the annual forage system was the most profitable when based upon a set price for hay, the best system for grazing was difficult to determine; factors relating to grazing management are discussed.     

Response of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) to saline soils and irrigation: I. Consumptive water use

Salt-tolerant crops can be grown with saline water from tile drains and shallow wells as a practical strategy to manage salts and sustain agricultural production in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California. Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) was grown in previously salinized plots that varied in average electrical conductivity (EC_e) from 1.8 to 7.2 dS m⁻¹ (0–2.7 m depth) and irrigated with either high quality (EC_i<1 dS m⁻¹) or saline (EC_i=6.7 dS m⁻¹) water. One response of safflower to increasing root zone salinity was decreased water use and root growth. Plants in less saline plots recovered more water on average (515 mm) and at a greater depth than in more salinized plots (435 mm). With greater effective salinity, drainage increased with equivalent water application rates. Seed yield was not correlated with consumptive water use over the range of 400–580 mm. Total biomass and plant height at harvest were proportional to water use over the same range. Safflower tolerated greater levels of salinity than previously reported. Low temperatures and higher than average relative humidity in spring likely moderated the water use of safflower grown under saline conditions.     

Short term effects of saline irrigation on evapotranspiration from lysimeter-grown citrus trees

Eight-year-old Murcott orange trees grown in greenhouse lysimeters filled with sandy soil were subjected to irrigation with saline water to investigate the influence of salinity on daily evapotranspiration (ET). The study was conducted in Japan from 1 August to 15 September 2000. The study duration was divided into three periods of about 2 weeks each. In period I, all lysimeters planted with a tree were irrigated with 60 mm of non-saline water at the water content of 70% of field capacity (FC). Salinity treatments for period II started on 14 August. The treatments during period II were as follows: Lysimeter 1 (L1) had 32 mm non-saline water with an electrical conductivity (EC_I) of 1.0 dS/m applied. At the same time Lysimeter 2 (L2) had 32 mm of saline water with an EC_I of 8.6 dS/m applied when the water content decreased to 70% of FC. Lysimeter 3 (L3) had 16 mm saline water (EC_I=8.6 dS/m) applied at 85% of FC. The irrigation amounts during period II were equal to those corresponding to 1.2 times of water required to reach FC. Treatments in period III were the same as in period I.Daily ET was similar for all weighing lysimeters during period I. The average relative ET for L2 and L3 with respect to L1 (L2/L1 and L3/L1) were similar during this period, with a mean value of 0.99. During period II, ET from L1 was consistently higher than that from L2 and L3. In addition, L3 with a higher irrigation frequency because of irrigation at higher soil water content resulted in higher ET than L2. The average relative ET of period II was 0.71 and 0.88 for both L2 and L3. During the last half of period III, reductions occurred in the ET differences between the saline treatments (L2 and L3) and non-saline control (L1).Evaporation rates from soil did not exceed 0.7 mm per day. Transpiration rates from L1, L2 and L3 during period II varied between 6.3 and 3.1 mm per day, 4.5 and 2.2 mm per day, and 5.8 and 3.0 mm per day, respectively. The results reflected a tangible difference of water extraction by roots from individual soil layers. Maximum water uptake by these trees was observed at layer of 30–60 cm. Nevertheless, no clear differences in water extraction pattern between trees were observed.Approximately, 95% of drainage occurred during the first 2 days following irrigation. The electrical conductivity of soil water (EC_S) and the electrical conductivity of drainage water (EC_D) for the saline water treatments (L2 and L3), compared to the control (L1) were significantly different during period II. EC_S values were 2–5 times higher in saline treatments compared to the control treatment. After irrigating trees with saline water, EC_S increased from 5 to 14 and 16 dS/m in L2 and L3, respectively. Similarly, in both saline treatments, EC_D values were greatly increased after irrigation. During period III, EC_D values increased from 5 to 8 dS/m in L2, and from 3 to 11 dS/m in L3. By contrast, EC_S declined from 14 to 5 dS/m in L2, and from 16 to 3 dS/m in L3 over the same period.     

Irrigation management and hydrosalinity balance in a semi-arid area of the middle Ebro river basin (Spain)

The analysis of irrigation and drainage management and their effects on the loading of salts is important for the control of on-site and off-site salinity effects of irrigated agriculture in semi-arid areas. We evaluated the irrigation management and performed the hydrosalinity balance in the D-XI hydrological basin of the Monegros II system (Aragón, Spain) by measuring or estimating the volume, salt concentration and salt mass in the water inputs (irrigation, precipitation and Canal seepage) and outputs (evapotranspiration and drainage) during the period June 1997–September 1998. This area is irrigated by solid-set sprinklers and center pivots, and corn and alfalfa account for 90% of the 470 ha irrigated land. The soils are low in salts (only 10% of the irrigated land is salt-affected), but shallow (<2 m) and impervious lutites high in salts (average EC_e=10.8 dS m⁻¹) and sodium (average SAR_e=20 (meq l⁻¹)^0.5) are present in about 30% of the study area.The global irrigation efficiency was high (Seasonal Irrigation Performance Index=92%), although the precipitation events were not sufficiently incorporated in the scheduling of irrigation and the low irrigation efficiencies (60%) obtained at the beginning of the irrigated season could be improved by minimising the large post-planting irrigation depths given to corn to promote its emergence. The salinity of the irrigation water was low (EC=0.36 dS m⁻¹), but the drainage waters were saline (EC=7.5 dS m⁻¹) and sodic (SAR=10.3 (meq l⁻¹)^0.5) (average values for the 1998 hydrological year) due to the dissolution and transport of the salts present in the lutites. The discharge salt loading was linearly correlated (P<0.001) with the volume of drainage. The slope of the daily mass of salts in the drainage waters versus the daily volume of drainage increased at a rate 25% higher in 1997 (7.6 kg m⁻³) than in 1998 (6.1 kg m⁻³) due to the higher precipitation in 1997 and the subsequent rising of the saline watertables in equilibrium with the saline lutites. Drainage volumes depended (P<0.001) on irrigation volumes and were very low (194 mm for the 1998 hydrological year), whereas the salt loading was moderate (13.5 Mg ha⁻¹ for the 1998 hydrological year) taking into account the vast amount of salts stored within the lutites. We concluded that the efficient irrigation and the low salinity of the irrigation water in the study area allowed for a reasonable control of the salt loading conveyed by the irrigation return flows without compromising the salinization of the soil’s root-zone.     

Irrigation with saline water in the reclaimed marsh soils of south-west Spain: impact on soil properties and cotton and sugar beet crops

The drained and irrigated marshes in south-west Spain are formed on soils of alluvial origin from the ancient Guadalquivir river estuary. The most important characteristics of these soils are the high clay content (about 70%), high salinity, and a shallow, extremely saline, water table. The reclaimed area near Lebrija, called Sector B-XII (about 15,000 ha), has been under cultivation since 1978. Some years, however, water supply for irrigation is limited due to drought periods. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of irrigation with high and moderately saline waters on soil properties and growth and yield of cotton and sugar beet crops. The experiments were carried out during 1997 and 1998 in a farm plot of 12.5 ha (250 m×500 m) in which a drainage system had been installed, consisting of cylindrical ceramic sections (0.3 m long) forming pipes 250 m long, buried at a depth of 1 m and spaced at intervals of 10 m. These drains discharge into a collecting channel perpendicular to the drains. Two subplots of 0.5 ha (20 m×250 m) each were selected. In 1997 cotton was growing in both subplots, and irrigation was applied by furrows. One subplot (A) was irrigated with fresh water (0.9 dS m⁻¹) during the whole season, while in the other subplot (B) one of the irrigations (at flowering stage) was with water of high salinity (22.7 dS m⁻¹). During 1998 both subplots were cropped with sugar beet. Subplot A was irrigated with fresh water (1.7 dS m⁻¹) during the whole season, while in subplot B two of the irrigations were with moderately saline water (5.9–7.0 dS m⁻¹). Several measurement sites were established in each subplot. Water content profile, tensiometric profile, water table level, drainage water flow, soil salinity, and crop development and yield were monitored. The results showed that after the irrigation with high saline water (subplot B) in 1997 (cotton), the soil salinity increased. This increase was more noticeable in the top layer (0–0.3 m depth). In contrast, for the same dates, the soil of subplot A showed no changes. After five irrigations with fresh water, the salinity of the soil in the subplot B reached values similar to those before the application of saline water. In 1998 (sugar beet) the application of moderately saline water in subplot B also increased soil salinity, but this increase was lower than in 1997. The irrigation with high saline water affected crop development. Cotton growth was reduced in comparison with that in the subplot irrigated only with fresh water. Despite this negative effect on crop development, the crop yield was the same as in the subplot A. Sugar beet development did not show differences between subplots, but yield was higher in subplot B than in subplot A.     

Deficiency of water can enhance root respiration rate of drought-sensitive but not drought-tolerant spring wheat

Root respiration was measured in vivo by infrared gas analysis of complete root systems in drought-sensitive (Longchun 8139-2) and drought-tolerant (Dingxi 24) spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars. Plants were grown in sand culture for 3 weeks under the following regimes: (a) water sufficiency, (b) moderate drought stress or (c) severe drought stress. The aim was to study the acclimation to drought stress in terms of changes in root growth, root respiration and energy requirement for water uptake. Drought stress increased the root:shoot ratio of both varieties. Roots of water-sufficient treatments respired 4.03 and 2.87 mg glucose h⁻¹ g⁻¹ in Longchun 8139-2 and Dingxi 24, respectively. However, severe drought stress enhanced root respiration of Longchun 8139-2 and Dingxi 24 to 6.52 and 3.01 mg glucose h⁻¹ g⁻¹, respectively. Compared with water-sufficient plants, drought-sensitive spring wheat (Longchun 8139-2) used a relatively higher amount of glucose to absorb water in drought stress treatment, especially in severe drought stress. The drought-resistant spring wheat Dingxi 24 used lower amount of glucose to absorb water in drought stress conditions, relative to drought-sensitive plants. In the arid and semi-arid region of the Losses Plateau, drought-resistant wheat species have many advantages over drought-sensitive species.     

Shallow groundwater contribution to pistachio water use

Pistachio can be grown in the central desert of Islamic Republic (I.R.) of Iran with adverse conditions such as shallow saline groundwater tables. The contribution of water from shallow, saline groundwater to crop water use may be important in such conditions. The objectives of this study were to determine the contributions from shallow, saline groundwater to water use of pistachio seedlings, and how this contribution was affected by groundwater depth, salinitiy, and irrigation conditions. The results indicated that an increase in groundwater depth resulted in significant increase in root depth and significant decrease in seasonal evapotranspiration (ET), transpiration, and groundwater contribution to the plant water use. Non-saline shallow (30–120 cm depth) groundwater under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions contributed 72.4–89.7% and 90.7–100.0% of plant water use, respectively. However, these contributions were 57.2–74.8% and 79.3–100.0% for irrigated and non-irrigated conditions, respectively for saline shallow (30–120 cm depth) groundwater. The effect of groundwater depths (D, cm) on groundwater contributions (q, %) was found to be influenced by the salinity levels of the groundwater (EC, dS m⁻¹). The linear multiple regression equations were q = 97.5 − 1.24(EC) − 0.194(D) and q = 105.9 − 0.48(EC) − 0.154(D) for irrigated and non-irrigated conditions, respectively. The maximum reductions in relative plant dry weight of 80.3% and 44.8% were occurred under non-irrigated condition and saline groundwater depth of 30 cm and non-saline water depth of 60 cm, respectively. Root depth analysis indicated that vertical root growth caused the root to reach a moist layer near the groundwater. A very close to 1:1 relationship between relative reduction in top dry weight (1 − y/y_m) and relative reduction in transpiration (1 − T/T_m) was obtained.     

Drainage water salinity of tubewells and pipe drains:: A case study from Pakistan

Drainage water salinity data from 71 public deep tubewells and 79 pipe drainage units near Faisalabad, Pakistan, were studied. Drainage water salinity of the tubewells and the pipe drains remained approximately constant with time. This was attributed to the deep, highly conductive, unconfined aquifer underlying the area, which facilitates lateral groundwater inflow into the drained areas. Tubewells alongside surface drains showed average electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, and residual sodium carbonate values of 3.2 dS m⁻¹, 17.2 (meq l⁻¹)^0.5, and 6.4 meq l⁻¹, respectively. For pipe drains, which are situated in areas with comparable conditions, the corresponding values were 2.5 dS m⁻¹, 12.2 (meq l⁻¹)^0.5, and 3.7 meq l⁻¹, respectively. Tubewells have an inferior drainage water quality because they attract water from greater depths, where the water is more saline.     

Groundwater uptake and sustainability of farm plantations on saline sites in Punjab province,Pakistan

Productive tree plantations on degraded land within Pakistan’s irrigation areas may help control salinity by extracting shallow groundwater, but their adoption has been limited by a lack of information on tree–water–salt interactions. Tree growth, water use, climate and soil conditions were monitored between 1994 and 1998 in young plantations of Eucalyptus, Acacia and Prosopis at two locations in Punjab province. Eucalyptus camaldulensis on an irrigated, non-saline site near Lahore showed best growth till the age of 5 years, and an annual water use of 1393 mm. Irrigated Eucalyptus microtheca at this site and unirrigated E. camaldulensis dependent on saline groundwater at Pacca Anna also transpired over 1000 mm of water per year. Basal area growth of Acacia ampliceps at the latter site was similar to E. camaldulensis, but its water use was less. Lowest annual water use of 235 mm was shown by an understocked stand of Prosopis juliflora. Canopy conductance decreased with increasing vapour pressure deficit to a species-dependent minimum value. Results of soil sampling, chloride balance modelling and intensive monitoring of soil solution salinity demonstrated accumulation of salt in the root zone of plantations using saline groundwater. The concentration of stored salt varied seasonally as a result of water table fluctuations and redistribution processes within the unsaturated zone. The apparent limitation of salt accumulation by these processes and the continuing satisfactory growth of the plantations justify cautious support of tree growing as a control measure for shallow water tables and salinisation in Pakistan.     

Long term effects of saline irrigation on the yield and growth of mature Williams pear trees

Salt tolerance of mature Williams Bon Cretien pear trees was assessed in a field trial on a duplex, slowly permeable clay loam. The trees were irrigated with a range of salinities; electrical conductivity of irrigation water (EC_w) of 0.2 to 1.4 dS/m by flood for seven years or 0.2 to 2.1 dS/m by microjet sprinklers for nine years. Water-table levels were maintained below 3 m by a groundwater pump. Yield and leaf ion content were assessed during the treatment period. Aspects of growth and physiology were monitored in the 0.2 and 2.1 dS/m microjet treatments during the seventh irrigation season.Soil profile salinities varied between 3.0 and 4.3 dS/m for the most saline flood treatment and from 1.5 to 2.6 dS/m for the most saline microjet treatment. Soil sodicity (sodium absorption ratio) increased during the experiment, reaching a maximum of 9 in the most saline treatments. The salinity treatments caused reduced yields after seven years. In the most saline treatment (EC_w = 2.1 dS/m, microjet-irrigated), yield decreased to about 60 and 50% of the control in the eighth and ninth years, respectively, and 40% of trees were dead in the ninth year. Leaf ion concentrations (in January) of the most saline treatment were at excess levels (>0.1% Cl and >0.02% Na) from 1982 to 1990. There were significant (P<0.01) negative linear relationships between yield in 1990 and leaf Na and Cl, measured both in 1990 and in 1989. During the seventh season of saline irrigation, lateral shoot growth was reduced, leaves and fruit were smaller and leaf fall was earlier in the 2.1 dS/m treatment compared with the control. Dawn and midday water potential and osmotic potential were not significantly affected by saline irrigation. Midday CO₂-assimilation rates (A) and leaf conductance to water vapour diffusion (g) were similar for 2.1 dS/m irrigated and control trees, however there was a trend towards a reduction in A and g of these salt-treated trees late in the irrigation season when leaf Na and Cl had increased to 250 and 240 mM (tissue water basis) respectively.     

Simulations on direct and cyclic use of saline waters for sustaining cotton–wheat in a semi-arid area of north-west India

A validated agro-hydrological model soil water atmosphere plant (SWAP) was applied to formulate guidelines for irrigation planning in cotton–wheat crop rotation using saline ground water as such and in alternation with canal water for sustainable crop production. Six ground water qualities (4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 dS/m), four irrigation schedules with different irrigation depths (4, 6, 8 and 10  cm) and two soil types (sandy loam and loamy sand) were considered for each simulation. The impact of the each irrigation scenario on crop performance, and salinization/desalinisation processes occurring in the soil profile (0–2 m) was evaluated through Water Management Response Indicators (WMRIs). The criterion adopted for sustainable crop production was a minimum of pre-specified values of ET_rel (≥0.75 and ≥0.65 for wheat and cotton, respectively) at the end of the 5th year of simulation corresponding to minimum deep percolation loss of applied water. The extended simulation study revealed that it was possible to use the saline water upto 14 dS/m alternatively with canal water for cotton–wheat rotation in both sandy loam and loamy sand soils. In all situations pre-sown irrigation must be accomplished with canal water (0.3–0.4 dS/m). Also when the quality of ground water deteriorates beyond 10 dS/m, it was suggested to use groundwater for post-sown irrigations alternately with canal water. Generally, percolation losses increased with the increase in level of salinity of ground water to account for leaching and thus maintain a favourable salt balance in the root zone to achieve pre-specified values of ET_rel.     

Soil salinity reduction and prediction of salt dynamics in the coastal ricelands of Bangladesh

Field experiments were conducted in moderately saline and saline soils during the 1996 dry and wet seasons and the 1997 dry season to document salt dynamics and establish their relationship with local hydrology. Topsoil (0–15 cm) salinity in the dry season varied from 4.0 to 9.0 dS m⁻¹ in moderately saline soils at Mirzapur and from 5.0 to 12.0 dS m⁻¹ in saline soils at Barodanga. In wet season, the corresponding figures were from 1.5 to 2.5 dS m⁻¹ and from 2.0 to 3.0 dS m⁻¹, respectively. Dry season cropping significantly reduced topsoil salinity at both the research sites. Overall peak salinity in non-plowed cropped lands was 25–38% lower than that of fallow lands, and in plowed cropped lands it was about 30–40% less than the non-plowed cropped lands.Multiple linear and non-linear regression models were developed to predict topsoil salinity of the fallow land for both moderately saline and saline soils by using daily rainfall and evaporation as independent variables. The prediction level was not significantly improved when a non-linear model was employed in place of linear model. Therefore, a linear model may be used to predict topsoil salinity of the coastal ricelands of Bangladesh.