Comparison of Drip Irrigation with Surface Irrigation and Monitoring Soil Salinity in Wheat and Corn Irrigated with Brackish Water

This study was conducted to compare and monitor drip and surface irrigation systems for corn and wheat crops in three planting seasons from summer 2016 to spring 2018 in one of the agricultural research stations in Khuzestan, located in Ahvaz. The source of irrigation water was Karun River with salinity of 3 dS/m in Ahvaz section. This study was performed using randomized complete blocks design with three replications. The basis of blocking in corn cultivation was 2 and 4 days irrigation intervals, and in wheat cultivation, the distances between drip lines were 40, 60, and 75 cm. The results showed that the volume of water used in the drip system for corn and wheat was 24% and 32% lower than the surface irrigation system, respectively. Also, water productivity in the drip system was higher than surface irrigation system by 16% and 21%, for corn forage and grain, respectively, and by 35% for wheat. Wheat water productivity for different distances of drip lines was not significantly different. Therefore, in heavy-textured soils, drip irrigation lines at 75 cm spacing can be used for wheat cultivation. In soil monitoring analysis, the drip system reduced soil quality such that, after three planting seasons, the initial non-saline-sodic soil (ECe = 3.09dS / m, ESP = 6.18%) became saline (ECe = 7.63dS / m, ESP = 12.63%). Despite accumulation of salts at the periphery of the wetted soil under the drippers, the plants had a better growth and yield in the drip system than the surface irrigation, because of the high soil water potential around the roots and under the drippers, which reduced salt effects. The results of this study showed that if a drip system is used for the climate similar to the central and southern regions of Khuzestan, land drainage and leaching operations at the end of the growing season are necessary to protect the soil.