Vol. 12, Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Sridevy S, Sivakumar K, Parameswari E, Davamani V, Thangadurai R, Vennila MA and Kumaresan P

Abstract:
Irrigation water quality is an important criteria in deciding the crop production of an area. The parameters like pH, Electrical conductivity (EC), Carbonate (CO₃^2-)_, Bicarbonate (HCO₃^-), Sulphate (SO₄^2-), Chloride (Cl^-), Boron (B). Fluorine (F), Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K) content are essential for the determination of irrigation water quality. The irrigation water may be saline (or) sodic based on the electrical conductivity values (dSm^-1). The other quality indices like Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC). Residual Sodium Bi-Carbonate (RSBC), Puri’s Salt Index (PSI) will also help in identifying the suitability of irrigation water to a crop. The sensitivity of the crops to irrigation water will differ based on its salinity. Normally pulse crops are highly sensitive to salinity of irrigation water. Criteria have been fixed by Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal for the suitability of the irrigation water. Saline tolerant varieties like TRY 1, 2, 3 and CO 43 in paddy have been evolved in the soil salinity Research Centre located at Trichy. Similarly many saline tolerant varieties have been released for other crops also to manage the salinity and sodicity hazards. Recently many modern tools have also come to enlighten the farmers and scientists to understand the ground water quality and potential. Remote sensing and GIS is one of the emerging tool which helps in assessment and mapping of ground water.