Effect of irrigation with different salinities on some soil characteristics and salt concentration factor (Case study: Bighard, Khonj)

Existence of water and soil salinity resources in arid and semiarid areas is an issue that affects agriculture and poses many problems. The adverse effect of water and soil salinity on growth and function of various crops in arid areas is a serious concern. The main objective of this study was to survey the impact of irrigation with different salinities on the changes in some soil properties in top soil. For this purpose, 10 land transects in farmlands with different quality of irrigation were sampled at intervals of 6 m (15 samples). Parameters of electrical conductivity, field moisture content and saturation water content were measured for each sample, and then the salt concentration factor (SCF) was evaluated. The results showed that there is a significant relationship (R2>90) between ECe and ECw and between saturation water content and field moisture content in the whole lands which underwent transect sampling. The results also indicated that there is a significant relationship (R2>90) between the SCF and saturation water content in the whole lands that underwent transect sampling. In general, the results of this study indicated that soil salinity was mainly influenced by water quality and poor water quality could change the physical properties of soil.