SOIL SALINITY MONITORING UNDER DIFFERENT IRRIGATION TYPES, IN SINNURIS DISTRICT, FAYOUM GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Abstract

Soil salinity is one of the main factors limiting crop production in arid and semi-arid regions of the planet. Therefore, mapping and monitoring salinity concentrations is essential for land and water resources management and consequently for the improvement of agricultural production. The current study utilized the geostatistical Kriging method for soil data interpolation to generate soil salinity maps. In order to assess and monitor salinity changes in the study area under different irrigation types, the soil samples collected in 2018 and the soil salinity data available for 2009 were used. The results showed significant improvements in soil salinity levels, as the area of none saline soils (< 2 dS m-1) increased from 1.3 ha in 2009 to 9119 ha in 2018. These impressive results could be related to the construction of sub-surface drainage systems that started in 2007, consequently, demonstrate the effectiveness of water management policies in Sinnuris District. Moreover, soil salinity values showed a negative correlation with the elevation data, which could explain the increasing salinity levels around the Lake Qarun due to the shallow saline water table and the low efficiency of the drainage system.