Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

APPRAISA OF UNDER GROUND WATER IN FOUR CONSECUTIVE YEARS AT NRC MAP, BORIAVI (GUJARAT) AND IMPACT OF ITS IRRIGATIONS ON PILLETHCINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS

O.P. Aishwath

Abstract

Samples of irrigation water were collected during eight consecutive seasons of four years in November 1999 to May 2003, to observe the variation in physico-chernical parameters of under-ground irrigation water at NRC MAP farm. Concentration of total dissolved solid (TDS) and depth of water level increased with time.The coefficient of variation indicated that chloride, sulfate and potassium contents were highly fluctuated and least variation recorded in sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), adjusted SAR, and sodium with duration.The values of EC, anions and cations were lower in winter season than in summer.The pH was towards the alkaline side, and directly correlated with residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and Na content. Potassium, nitrate and fluoride were highly correlated with EC.VVater quality rated on the basis of adjusted-SAR and found that it could be used safely in Kaolinite — Sesquioxides type (Z = - 38.1) soil and usage with some precautions in IIlite-Vermiculite type (Z = 1.90). However, It may pose serious problems in the soils having dominant clay minerals of Montmorillonite type (Z = 36.5). Use of this RSC dominated water in some of medicinal plants - Chlorophytum borivilianum, Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Barleria prionitis, Pedalium murex, Rauvolfia serpentina, Piper Ion gum, Mucuna pruriens, Asparagus species, Alpinia spedes, Cassia tora, Murraya paniculata, Plumbago zeylanica, Eiettaria cardamomum, Catharanthus species, Citrus medial, Andrographis paniculata and Hibiscus subdariffa and aromatic plants - Cymbopogon species, Citronella java, Hibiscus abelmoschus, Pandanus odoratissimus and Cestrum noctumum, adversely affected the growth and development due to chlorosis and other morphological impairments.