Transcript Slide 1
SALINE WATER GROUP Recommendations Saline water is a potential source of irrigation and freshwater saving in irrigated agriculture. Current Research on salt tolerance of various crops, water, soil and crop management, irrigation and drainage methods and the reuse of drainage effluents, will enhance and increase its potential use for irrigation. Management of salinity is a multidimensional problem require the understanding of the genesis, and the development of appropriate technology which is socially acceptable and economically viable. Focus should be directed towards the setup of new crop/water management strategies that facilitate the use of saline water for irrigation and minimizing the negative impacts on soil productivity, yield production and the environment. Monitoring should be for both water quantities and qualities, as well as soil’s salinity Establishing Pilot projects in saline shallow groundwater areas to evaluate efficacy of localized water application methods. SALINE WATER GROUP Recommendations Blending/mixing strategy of saline water with fresh water may not be appropriate under certain condition. More crop production can be achieved by using the fresh and saline water alternatively (separately). Sustainable and safe use of saline water for irrigation requires: SALINE WATER GROUP Recommendations An integrated approach is needed to conserve water and prevent soil Stalinization and water logging while protecting the environment and ecology. Promotion of conjunctive use of saline groundwater and surface water to lower water table levels. Developing and implementing new technologies and management practices. Increasing irrigation efficiency by the adoption of appropriate management strategies, systems and practices and through education and training. Introduction of the participatory approach in saline irrigation practices and management. Farmers’ participation and involvement in planning and management is a key factor for a successful application of saline water for irrigation. SALINE WATER GROUP Recommendations There is no universal approach to achieve salinity control in irrigated agriculture. It varies from country to another. It depends on economic, climatic, social and hydro-geological conditions. Further Research is needed to close the gaps in the following areas: Integrated management of water of different qualities at farm level. Developing and use of mathematical models such as SALTMED model (Freely available at http://www.ceh-wallingford.ac.uk/research/cairoworkshop) to relate crop yield to irrigation management under saline conditions. Tested models can be useful tools to predict long term impact of using saline water without conducting expensive field experiments. The trade-off between provision of full drainage and drainage volume reduction; The incorporation of salinity into groundwater flow models to predict the development of not only water logging but also of soil water salinity. Regional agrohydro-salinity models should be of immense value in planning appropriate water management strategies; SALINE WATER GROUP Recommendations Activating the role of policies and institutions in creating demand for technology. Conducting a comprehensive and coordinated research on benefits and hazards of the use of saline water for irrigation. This requires: formulation of networks conducting and fostering a comprehensive multidisciplinary basic and applied research programmes Providing facilities for research workers and improving the Institutional Capacity Building. Integrated Water, Crop & Field Management Participatory Management Irrigation systems Non-Conventional Water Resources Water Use Efficiency Evaporative Demand Rainfall Pattern Soil Types Irrigation Characteristics Method AGROCLIMATIC FACTORS Drainage Frequency & Conjunctive Conditions Leaching Use Requirements Blending Cyclic Use WATER MANAGEMENT Sowing Crop Method Time Rotation Seed Rate Pre/Postsowing Irrigation CULTURAL PRACTICES MANAGEMENT OF SALINE AND OTHER LOW QUALITY WATERS FERTILITY MANAGEMENT Efficient N, Role of Crops P & Zn Organic Nutrition Materials CROPS FACTORS Cultivars WATER QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS Growth Salinity Sodicity Toxicity stages SPECIAL TREATMENTS Desalination Amendments for soil & water quality improvement Soil Physical Behavior Management of Saline Water