Suitability of Irrigation and Drainage Waters in South El-Kalubia Governorate for Sustainable Agricultural Development under Salt Affected Soil Conditions

THE PURPOSE of this study was to assess water quality of irrigation and drainage waters in Southern part of El-Kalubia Governorate (441.5 km2). Stratified and random sampling was done to select representative water samples of irrigation and drain canals. Eleven water samples were taken from each of the irrigation canals and the drainage canals (drains). Eleven soil samples were also collected from the area. Water and soil samples were analyzed for pH and salinity. Out of the 11 irrigation water samples, 4 showed EC values below 0.75 dS/m being of " low to medium" salinity hazard, EC of the remaining was between 0.76 and 5.90 dS/m classified as of "high to very high" salinity hazard for irrigation. The pH was from 6.59 to 7.38 and SAR was from 1.46 to 7.98 in irrigation canals and classified as "low to high" for irrigation. Out of the 11 drainage water samples, 4 showed EC below 2.25 dS/m being of "low to medium" salinity hazard for irrigation. The remaining had EC of 2.42 to 7.46 dS/m and classified as of "high to excessive" salinity for irrigation. The pH ranged from 7.04 to 7.85 and SAR was from 3.31 to 11.12 and classified as "medium to high" for irrigation. Drainage water, in general,could be suitable for irrigation by mixing with canal water. About 55 % of the soils of the study area are saline non-sodic and 45% are non-saline non-sodic soils.