Monitoring saline irrigation effects on barley and salts distribution in soil at different leaching fractions

Population growth and global warming would substantially impact the availability and quality of existing freshwater supplies. The utilization of marginal water resources for agriculture is getting considerable importance. The lands irrigated with saline water are required to reduce salts accumulations through leaching and/or drainage practices. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of saline irrigation and leaching fractions on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and salts accumulations in sand dune soil. For this purpose seawater was diluted to the salinity levels of 3 and 13 dS m ^-1 and applied by drip irrigation at 0.1 and 0.4 leaching fractions (LF). The results of the experiment showed that the saline water significantly impaired barley growth. Higher LF lowered the soil salinity and increased soil water contents. Both quantity and quality of water regulated salts distribution within the soil. The salts were found higher near or immediate below the soil surface. An enhanced LF carried more salts down the soil horizon. Low salts were accumulated in the vicinity of emitters as compared to distant wet area. Higher saline irrigation inhibited evaporation. Infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity of soil were statistically unchanged across the treatments. Conjunctive use of marginal water at proportional LF could be effective to enhance the yield potential of crops in water scarce areas.