Understanding the causes, effects, and remediation of salinity in irrigated fields: A review

Abstract

To boost agricultural production, irrigation will turn out to be more reliant on inadequately described and virtually unmonitored sources of irrigation water supply. Amplified use of irrigation water has resulted in degradation of water and soil quality in numerous areas. The objective of this review is highlighting the causes, effects, and remediation of salinity in irrigated fields. The study analysed some major ions affecting the quality of irrigation water. Precisely, elements including boron, chloride, and nitrogen are harmful to crops. Consequently, it is imperative to detect their origin and consequences. Likewise, there is a need for understanding how they can be removed from irrigation waters. Continuous water quality analysis using chemical indices such as sodium adsorption ratio, sodium percent, residual sodium carbonate, magnesium hazard and permeability index in irrigation water analysis is recommended. The review also highlights the crop tolerance in saline conditions and tolerance limits of individual crops to salinity. Salinity should be monitored for improved irrigation scheme performance. This has necessitated the application of salinity management techniques in irrigation water.