Quality Assessments for Irrigation Waters used in Agricultural Fields of Konya - Meram Hatunsaray Neighborhood
Abstract
This study was conducted to assess the quality of water samples taken from irrigation wells used for irrigating agricultural fields of Hatunsaray neighborhood of Meram district, Konya province. Within the scope of the study, water samples were collected from the wells used for irrigation and soil samples were also collected from the agricultural fields irrigated with these wells at depths of 0-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm. Irrigation water and soil samples were subjected to physical and chemical analyses. Majority of the soils in the region were loamy (L) and clay-loam (CL) in texture. Soil pH values varied between 7.94-9.10 and soil ECvalues between 242-857 µmhos/cm. Irrigation water ECvalues ranged from 198 to 772 µmhos/cm, while the pH values ranged from 6.91 to 8.38. Irrigation water samples were classified as C S (moderately saline 2 1-low alkaline). To prevent salinity problems in agricultural lands, drainage systems should be established and maintenance and repairs of existing drainage channels should be carried out periodically. It is anticipated that the necessary cultural measures will prevent salinity problems in the coming years.
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Introduction
Soil chemical properties playa great role in irrigated crops. Availability of different compounds in irrigation water is also largely dependent on soil properties. Salinity-induced soil loss of 10 million hectares annually serves as a dramatic example of soil-water quality interaction [1].
Water is the most important factor in agricultural production. Water and irrigation designate sustainable agricultural production especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Irrigation is the process of supplying the amount of water required by plants, which cannot be met by rainfall, to the plant root zone at proper time [2].
Water-air balance of the soil is disrupted when the balance between drainage and irrigation was not established. In such cases, soil air content decreases and yield losses are encountered then. Additionally, salinity and alkalinity issues arise. At the end, crop yields decrease or even cease entirely, depending on the levels of salinity and alkalinity. Soil must contain sufficient and appropriate levels of plant nutrients to achieve high-quality and abundant agricultural production. Excessive or insufficient levels of these nutrients negatively affect plant growth and development. Therefore, soil chemical and physical properties should be determined to solve problems encountered in agricultural production [3]. [4] indicated that besides irrigation method, timing and amount, irrigation water quality is also an important factor in modern irrigations. Unsuitable water is used in irrigation when sufficient and good-quality water is not available. Such a case increases soil salinity. Therefore, researchers took water samples from 10 irrigation ponds in June, July, August and September to evaluate the water quality in irrigation ponds used for irrigation in Hakkari Province. The following parameters were determined in the collected water samples: EC, pH, anions, and cations (Ca+2, Mg+2, K+, Na+, SO-2, NO-2, CO-2, HCO-and 4 3 3 3 Cl-). Additionally, using the obtained data, Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) and Sodium Percentage (% Na) values were also calculated. At the end of the study, it was determined that pH, EC, SAR, RSC and % Navalues of the irrigation pond waters did not exceed the limit values, but the Mg+2 and K+ values of the pond water in the Kanatlı area of Akçalı Village and the K+ value of the pond water in the Şişer area of Kırıkdağ Village exceeded the limit values. It was determined in a study on the effect of irrigation water of different qualities on alfalfa that growth slowed down in alfalfa irrigated with saline water and harvest yield and quality decreased. In contrast, when washing was performed and salt was removed from the environment, plant growth returned to normal levels. Accordingly, it was determined that for high alfalfa yields, irrigation water with salinity below 1.5 dSm-1 was appropriate [5]. [6] conducted a study in the Biga Plain of Çanakkale and examined the parameters of electrical conductivity (EC), pH, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), carbonate (CO3), bicarbonate (HCO ), Chloride (Cl), Sulfate 3 (SO ), Nitrate (NO ) and Boron (B) in water samples collected from 20 wells. When classified according to the Water Pollution 4 3 Control Regulation (SKKY) Classification System and considering the salinity parameter, 11 of the 20 wells were classified as second class, while the others were classified as first class. [7] conducted a study in Isparta Plain and examined the quality of irrigation water samples taken from 21 groundwater wells. It was determined that water quality in some of the wells was classified as C S (highly saline-low alkaline), while the water 3 1 quality in other wells was classified as C S (moderately saline-low alkaline). 2 1 [8] conducted a study to determine the impact of domestic and industrial wastes on the Nilüfer River. Wastewater samples were taken from the discharge points of five treatment plants discharging into the Nilüfer River and from the streams into which these plants discharge during four different periods between August 2013 and May 2014. It was determined that the wastewater quality parameters of the Nilüfer River and some of the wastewater treatment plants discharging into the Nilüfer River varied depending on the period. When the water parameters were examined before and after discharge from the Nilüfer River, it was determined that the wastewater discharged from the treatment plants had a negative impact on the Nilüfer River, particularly in terms of pH, EC, ammonium, phosphorus, sulfate, boron and chlorine values. [9] conducted a study in the Sultanhisar district of Aydın Province and indicated that quality of water used for irrigation varied between C Sand C S classes over time, canal water used affected fruit quality and boron content of these waters was higher 2 1 3 1 than that of the control group. [10] collected irrigation water samples from 12 greenhouse operations of Kırşehir province to determine the quality of irrigation water used in greenhouse operations. Soil samples were also collected from depths of 0–30 and 30–60 cm at the beginning and end of the production period. The pH values of irrigation water samples ranged from 5.47 to 8.61, while electrical conductivity (EC) values varied between 35-1720 dS m-1. While calcium, magnesium and potassium concentrations of irrigation water did not pose any problems, 75% of the greenhouse operations had irrigation water with high sodium levels. Considering the crops grown, the soil reactions were found to be suitable for vegetable cultivation, but when ECvalues were examined, some greenhouse soils showed mild to moderate salinity. It was deemed important for greenhouse operations to regularly analyze irrigation water and monitor soil salinity levels for cultivation purposes. [11] selected a total of 17 sampling sites along the Awash River and conducted sampling four times a year indifferent seasons to assess the water quality of the Awash River and its tributaries. Researchers explained the overall water quality and suitability for irrigation using numerous water quality parameters such as EC, pH, RSC, SAR, Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++, CO 2−, HCO − and 3 3 Cl−. It was indicated that all quality parameters in Lake Beseka exceeded the maximum permissible limits for irrigation, the physicochemical characteristics of the Awash River varied indifferent water quality parameters indifferent areas, only the pH and SAR of Beseka Lake and Meteka spring water exceeded the permitted limit and the ECvalues in Beseka, Mojo, Wonji, Melkasedi, Ambash, Werer, Meteka and Meteka springs showed medium-high salinity values, while the RSC was very high.
Conclusion
The results obtained from this study, conducted in Hatunsaray Neighborhood of Meram District of Konya Province to determine the salinity and alkalinity of irrigation water used in agriculture and agricultural lands are summarized below. 4.1 Conclusion: 1) The ECvalues of water samples taken from irrigation wells were below 750 µmhos/cm. Due to the medium salinity of the water (C ), it can be said that the water samples were suitable for agricultural irrigation in terms of salinity. In 2 agricultural fields irrigated with irrigation water samples (C ) that exceed a threshold salinity value, salt-tolerant plants 3 should be preferred and special measures may be required to control salinity. It was observed that ECvalues ranged from 198 to 772 µmhos/cm, while pH values ranged from 6.91 to 8.38. Based on present analyses, irrigation water was classified as C S (moderately saline-low alkaline). 2 1 2) For water-soluble anions and cations, it can be said that water samples were rich in Ca cation and HCO anion. Sodium 3 adsorption ratios (SAR) ranged from 0.32 to 1.79. Na% values ranged from 11.0 to 31.1 and boron concentrations ranged from 0.289 to 0.417 ppm. It was determined that irrigation water samples were all below the threshold boron concentration 0.7 ppm. The boron values of the irrigation water were also reflected in the soil samples and no boron toxicity was observed in the soils. 3) In the research area, the salinity levels of irrigation water were found to be moderately saltine. Water samples taken from some irrigation wells in September and October exceeded salinity threshold value of 750 µmhos/cm, which could cause salinity problems in agricultural lands where this water is used. 4) In this study, chemical analyses of the soils were performed. The pH values of the soils ranged from 7.94 to 9.10 and the ECvalues ranged from 242 to 857 µmhos/cm. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) was found to be between 15.02–25.17 me/100 g, the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) values varied between 1.74–3.36%, the lime percentages varied between1.74 – 33.59% and the boron concentrations ranged from 0.17 to 0.26 ppm. Soil boron concentrations were below the threshold boron concentration of 4 ppm. 5) hysical analyses of the soils were also conducted. It was determined that most of the soils were loamy (L) and clay-loam (CL) in texture, with soil saturation percentages of between 45-55 and bulk densities of between 1.14-1.47 g/cm3. 6) Soil ESP values were below the threshold value of 15%. 4.2 Recommendations: 1) Drainage systems should be installed to prevent salinity problems in agricultural areas. Maintenance and repairs of existing drainage channels must be carried out periodically. 2) Soils should be cultivated using appropriate techniques and enriched with organic matter. 3) It is likely that salinity and alkalinity problems will arise in the coming years because of climate change-induced decrease in precipitations and the increased need for irrigation water. Therefore, it is important to prioritize leaching and reclamation efforts from now on. 4) To prevent yield losses in agricultural production, the irrigation water required by the crop must be provided using appropriate methods. Considering the limited water availability, sprinkler and drip irrigation methods should be preferred in the region. The number of irrigations and the amount of water applied should be planned to avoid unnecessary and excessive irrigation. 5) Considering that irrigation water is decreasing day by day, relevant institutions and educational institutions have important tasks in training farmers about irrigation methods and providing them with information on irrigation water applications and ways to increase irrigation efficiency. 6) A detailed soil survey should be conducted within the scope of Konya Province and inventory reports should be prepared. The inventory reports, which are quite old, should be updated. 7) The absence of salinity, alkalinity and boron problems in both irrigation water and soil samples in the research area does not mean that these problems will not occur in the future. Therefore, even if reclamation studies are not carried out at an advanced level, leaching and soil physical property improvement studies should be carried out. 8) Although there are no current issues in the research area, ensuring the supply of high-quality irrigation water to fields in nearby regions where salinity, alkalinity and boron problems are present or may arise is of great importance. Therefore, further development of projects such as the KOP project would be beneficial.
