Management of Using Saline Water in Drip Irrigation to Lands Sustainability

The use of saline water for irrigation of crops is known as a strategy of on-farm irrigation water management. In this study, the cyclic use of saline and fresh water and its effect on soil salinity were investigated. Field experiments were carried out in randomized complete block under drip irrigation for maize crop with 9 treatments. The treatments were based on irrigation management of saline and fresh water use on three salinity levels 0.4, 3.5 and 5.7 dS/m and freshwater application in every one, three and five saline water application (1:1, 3:1 and 5:1, respectively). The hypothesis behind this research was periodic leaching compared with continuous leaching (leaching with every irrigation) causes better control of the leaching (controlling solute) while sustaining land was provided. The results showed that there was no significant accumulation of salt in the soil in 1:1 management at the end of growing season, compared to its beginning. This management would be recommended for sustainable agriculture. In cyclic managements, soil salinity was decreased in soil profile after irrigation with fresh water. When applicating saline water under drip irrigation, salt accumulation was higher in soil surface and salt accumulation decreased by increasing distance from the drippers.