Effect of irrigation water quality on soil properties and infrared spectroscopic signatures

Francisco Comino,Víctor Aranda,María J Ayora-Cañada,Antonio Díaz,Ana Domínguez-Vidal

doi:10.5424/sjar/2019174-14920

Francisco Comino, Víctor Aranda + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2019174-14920

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Abstract

Aim of study: To study the effect of irrigation with medium-to-low-quality water on an olive farm that seems to be causing salinity and/or sodicity problems in soils, and the ability of infrared spectroscopy to detect this problem.Area of study: The study was conducted in an olive (Olea europaea L.) grove located in Guarromán (Jaen, Spain), on the boundary of the Sierra Morena Mountains and the Guadalquivir Depression.Material and methods: The olive farm is cultivated over two soil typologies, a calcareous area (carbonated) dominated by Regosols and a siliceous area with Leptosols. Typical soil physical and chemical parameters were determined, as well as near and mid infrared spectra were collected for analysis.Main results: Soil physical properties were affected by irrigation, with low infiltration rates and symptoms of structural degradation. Chemical properties were also altered, showing high pH, low amounts of organic carbon and N, and high sodium concentrations. These effects were stronger in the samples directly affected by the irrigation bulb, with the siliceous soils more affected than carbonated, probably due to the positive effect of the higher amounts of calcium in the latter. Using infrared spectroscopy, it was possible to discriminate the samples of this farm affected by sodicity from similar soil samples in Jaen province not affected.Research highlights: the use of medium-to-low quality irrigation water affected soil physical and chemical properties. Infrared spectroscopy could be useful for quick assessment of soil quality and soil degradation from salinity and sodicity.

Highlights

Soil salinity and sodicity are growing problems affecting soil worldwide, and are considered one of the major soil degradation threats in Europe (Daliakopoulos et al, 2016)
Soil salinity reduces the osmotic potential of the soil, water potential reducing its gradient between soil solution and the root interior, and, the plant water uptake which ends up affecting vegetative growth
This water may be said to be suitable for irrigation, it should be monitored for any possible effects of the high bicarbonate and the moderate sodium concentration on the soil and the plant in the medium-to-long term

Summary

Introduction

Soil salinity and sodicity are growing problems affecting soil worldwide, and are considered one of the major soil degradation threats in Europe (Daliakopoulos et al, 2016). Soil salinity generates an imbalance in nutrient amounts, usually a deficit (Grattan & Grieve, 1998), as well as a decrease in biological activity and unbalanced biogeochemical cycles High concentrations of some ions, such as sodium, chlorine or boron, can cause toxicity and reduce uptake of nutrients (Hardie & Doyle, 2012). High sodium concentration in the soil solution generate other problems, such as dispersion of clays (Sumner, 1993), rapid decomposition of organic matter (OM) in the soil (Nelson & Oades, 1998) and soil structure degradation, crusting and sealing, limiting water infiltration (Amezketa et al, 2003)

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