Infiltration as Affected by Long‐term Use of Sodic‐Saline Water for Irrigation

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Abstract
Infiltration rates and hydraulic conductivity of two fields were determined to evaluate the long‐term impact of irrigation with saline‐sodic water [electrical conductivity (EC) = 5.6 mmho/cm and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) = 26] and the benefit of gypsum treatments. Field 1 had been irrigated for 2 years and field 2 for 8 years. Infiltration rates were measured by a constant head method and hydraulic conductivity by Bower's method using distilled water (to simulate rainwater) and the saline‐sodic irrigation water. Results indicated that the infiltration rates of the gypsum‐treated plots were higher than the nontreated plots for each field, and the infiltration rate of the soil irrigated with sodic‐saline water for 8 years was greater than the infiltration route of field irrigated for 2 years. The latter difference was related to different crust structures found in the two fields. Hydraulic conductivities and infiltration rates of soil crusts were calculated for rainfall and for irrigated conditions. The results are discussed in view of the existence of CaCO3 and gypsum in the original and treated soil, respectively. Some estimates of calculated final infiltration rates under rainfall conditions are presented.

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