Abstract
The effects of regional water management practices (WMPs) on the soil salinity of a representative rice field under Mediterranean conditions (Thessaloniki plain, Greece) were investigated. The temporal variation of soil salinity parameters in the soil solution and in the exchangeable phase was monitored at and below the root zone (15–20 and 35–40 cm) during the growing season. The comparative analysis (ANOVA for p = 0.05) of the measurements before and after the growing season showed that: (a) for the soil solution of the 15–20 cm layer, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, HCO3− and EC were significantly reduced, Na+ remained constant and Cl− increased, while in the 35–40 cm layer no significant differences were detected to all parameters except for Cl− which was increased; (b) for the exchangeable cations Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+ no significant differences were found, while exchangeable Na+ and ESP were significantly increased in both soil layers during the short period of soil drying before harvest. The final values of Na+ and ESP were quite low to indicate soil degradation hazard. Overall the results showed adequate performance of WMPs to preserve a good soil salinity status but with the cost of high water consumption, exceeding 2000 mm.
Highlights
IntroductionSoil degradation by salinity has become one of the major threats and it is expected to be intensified by the imminent climate change and the increase in irrigation demand [1,3,4,5]
More than 10% of irrigated lands worldwide are affected by salinity problems [1,2]
The aim of this study is to investigate the changes of soil salinity during the growing season in a representative rice field of Thessaloniki plain in Greece, under the effects of regional water management practices (WMPs)
Summary
Soil degradation by salinity has become one of the major threats and it is expected to be intensified by the imminent climate change and the increase in irrigation demand [1,3,4,5]. Rice cropping is often held responsible for soil sodification [6], while on the other hand irrigated rice cropping is practiced to reclaim saline-sodic soils in many parts of the world [7,8]. Continuous flooding conditions is the common practice for rice irrigation, especially in lowland plains [9], leading to increased water inflows for the attainment of an adequate ponding depth. The quality and amount of irrigation water, the evapotranspiration, the soil hydraulic properties and the drainage conditions of lowland fields are the main regulators of soil salinity
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