Salinity and sodicity hazard characterization in major irrigated areas and irrigation water sources, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Considerable area of land is becoming unproductive every year because of salinity and sodicity in Lowlands of Ethiopia. For sound land use and irrigation water management, it is a paramount important to know the salinity/sodicity status of soils and irrigation water quality. Therefore, the study was conducted to characterize and classify the salinity and sodicity hazards of major irrigated areas and irrigation water sources in Northern Ethiopia. Irrigation water samples were also collected from both sources used for irrigation in the study area. Moreover, representative soil profiles were also opened and soil samples were collected and analyzed. The Shwarobit river and the groundwater sources were found to be in the medium (C2) (341.7 µS/cm) and high (C 3) (1452.9 µS/cm) salinity hazards, respectively. With regards to the sodicity hazard criteria, both water sources were found to be low (S1). According to the US Salinity Laboratory Staff criteria, soils irrigated by the Shwarobit River met the criteria to be classified as saline soils. However, except the surface layer of the profile the soils irrigated by a combination of shwarobit River and groundwater sources met the criteria to be classified as a saline-sodic soils. Therefore, according to the water and soil analysis results, there will be a potential danger of sodicity and actual salinity development in the intended irrigation scheme. Thus, selection of crop type and proper irrigation methods should be designed for sustainability of soil productivity in the study area.