Changes in hydraulic conductivity of soils varying in calcite content under cycles of irrigation with saline-sodic and simulated rain water

Abstract

Soil infiltration problems occur as a result of alternating irrigation with saline-sodic waters and monsoon rainfall. Hydraulic conductivity (K) and related soil properties of a non-calcareous (CaCO₃ 0.8%) and a calcareous soil (25.7%) having similar textural constituents were monitored. The soils were subjected to six consecutive cycles of irrigation with saline waters (SW) of sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), 10, 20 or 30 (mmol/l)^1/2, but of similar electrolyte concentration (EC; 80 mEq/l), and each followed by simulated rain water (SRW) (electrical conductivity <0.02 dS/m). Results are presented in terms of relative K i.e. K _r=K _sw/K _tw where K _tw is steady state K measured separately under application with tap water (ECw 0.54 dS/m, SAR 0.9). For irrigation with SW alone, K _r values were reduced to 0.95, 0.79 and 0.70 at SAR of 10, 20 and 30, respectively, in non-calcareous soil. The corresponding values of 0.95, 0.87 and 0.79 were slightly higher in calcareous soil. Severe reductions in K _r were observed in both the soils when subjected to alternate use of SW and SRW (K _r=0.22, 0.03 and 0.02 in non-calcareous, and 0.57, 0.17 and 0.07 in calcareous soil). About half of the reductions in K _r were reversible when SW was subsequently applied. Depth distributions of salinity, pH, dispersible clay and hydraulic head indicate that disaggregation and dispersion of surface soil was the cause of reduced K with SRW, whereas “washed in” sub-soil became restrictive and controlled the K values with SW under alternations of SW and SRW. Salt release (<1 mEq/l) was insufficient to avoid dispersion and sustain K even in the calcareous soil. For evaluating the infiltration hazard of saline-sodic water, measurements of stabilized K values after consecutive cycles of SW and SRW should serve as a better diagnostic criteria under monsoonal climates than threshold EC–SAR combinations.