Irrigation Water Quality – Salinity and Soil Structure Stability

 

Department of Natural resources, Queensland Government.

 

One of the major concerns with water used for irrigation is decreased crop yields and land degradation as a result of excess salts being present in water and in soils under irrigation. Salinity is the term used when referring to the presence of soluble salts in or on soils, or in waters.

To assess the suitability of irrigation water in regards to salinity management, other factors must be considered besides water quality. These include salt tolerance of the crop being cultivated and the characteristics of the soil under irrigation. Climate, soil management and water management practices can also impact on the extent of salinity.