GHORBAN GHORBANI NASRABAD, T.B.S. RAJPUT, NEELAM PATEL AND V.K. SEHGAL
Abstract
Distribution of salt in the soil is one of the important factors for managing the drip irrigation system. In order to study the soluble salts distribution under saline water irrigation, a field experiment was conducted at IARI, New Delhi. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) hybrid RCH 134 was planted at row to row and plant to plant spacing of 90 cm and 60 cm, respectively. Irrigation system was used as drip irrigation in cotton. Irrigation frequency was every other day having salinity of 8 dS m-1. The results showed that soluble salts decreased near dripper and were high at 40 cm horizontal distance away from dripper. Increase in distance from dripper increased the salt concentration. Accumulation of soluble salts was high at the soil surface and beyond that these decreased significantly. After monsoon rainfalls during boll opening stage, most of the soluble salts were leached out from the soil profile and reached to safe range. Monsoon rainfall was resulted in leaching of soluble salts like EC, Na, Ca and Cl up to 73.9, 66.3, 71.5 and 87.3 %, respectively. In area having good monsoon rainfall, application of saline water can be used without any adverse effect on soil crop environment and building up the salts in the soil.