IMPACT OF SALTWATER INTRUSION ON PADDY GROWTH IN KUALA KEDAH, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Agricultural activities along the coastal line are facing problems of seawater intrusion due to the rise in sea level, especially in Kuala Kedah, Kedah. Approximately more than 30 hectares have been affected by the increased salinity concentration in paddy fields and farmers have had to bear losses of more than 75 percent since this problem first began in 2016. Hence, this research was conducted to assess the influence of salinity concentration on paddy growth due to tidal variations in the paddy plot and the related irrigation canal. By considering tide events, in-situ measurement sof salinity concentrations were carried out using a salinity portable meter at ten points along the irrigation canal, as well as at outflow and inflow regions in the paddy plot at two-week intervals. Assessment of paddy growth was made by regularly measuring plant height from the third to thirteenth week and grain weight on the thirteenth week of plant growth. The results show that there are reductions of 19% and 5% in paddy yields in outflow and inflow regions, respectively, as well as reductions in paddy height by 50% compared with the normal paddyheight in both regions.