Soil Chemical Analysis

Elevated nitrate concentration in groundwater is a worldwide problem. Continuous exposure to high levels of nitrate in groundwater may cause adverse health effects among residents who use groundwat...

Spatial distribution, exposure, and potential health risk assessment from nitrate in drinking water from semi-arid region of South India

The present study is focused on seasonal variation in groundwater quality, hydrochemistry, and associated human health risk in the Shivganga river basin, Western Maharashtra, India, to promote sustainable development of groundwater resources of this semi-arid region. The qualitative geochemical analysis, contamination levels, and human health risk assessment (HHRA) of groundwater are integral steps in groundwater management in the Deccan Plateau basalt flow region of India. Representative groundwater samples (n = 68) collected from the Shivganga River basin area of Pune district, Maharashtra, during pre-monsoon (PRM) and post-monsoon (POM) seasons in 2015 were analyzed for major cations and anions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017) drinking standards, EC, total dissolved solids, hardness, bicarbonate, calcium, and magnesium surpassed the desirable limit. Boron and fluoride content exceeded the prescribed desirable limit of the WHO. The pollution and drinking suitability were assessed by computing pollution index of groundwater (PIG), groundwater quality index (GWQI), and HHRA particularly for boron and fluoride toxicity. PIG values inferred that about 6% of groundwater samples has moderate, 24% has low, and 70% has insignificant pollution in the PRM season, while only 1 sample (3%) showed high pollution, 6% showed low, and 91% showed insignificant pollution in the POM season. GWQI classification demonstrated that 27% and 15% samples are within the poor category, and only 15% and 18% of the samples fall into excellent water category in the PRM and the POM seasons, respectively. Total hazard index (THI) revealed that 88% of children, 59% of adults, and about 38% of infants are exposed to non-carcinogenic risk, as THI values (>1) were noted for the PRM season, while 62% of children, 47% of adults, and 24% of infants are vulnerable to non-carcinogenic health hazard during the POM period.

Integrated approach for the evaluation of groundwater quality through hydro geochemistry and human health risk from Shivganga river basin, Pune, Maharashtra, India

In semiarid regions, salinization and anthropogenic contaminants are considered as the principal threat to groundwater resource availability. Consequently, the origin and processes of salinization should be identified, to take a sustainable measurement to mitigate these problems. In the present study, groundwater samples from 18 dug wells were collected during the sampling campaign carried out in May 2016 in order to identify the main natural and anthropogenic processes that control the quality of groundwater in the Mornag shallow aquifer (northeastern Tunisia) and to evaluate its suitability for agricultural irrigation purpose. This may create a clear database for decision maker to take suitable actions to sustainably manage the groundwater resources. The hydrogeochemical parameters (major ions concentration, pH, TDS, EC) were examined to assess the quality of groundwater and to identify the main mineralization processes. Permeability index (PI), percentage of sodium (%Na) and the ratio of sodium adsorption (SAR) were investigated to evaluate the groundwater suitability for irrigation. It has been demonstrated that the major ions abundance follows the order of sodium > calcium > magnesium > potassium and chloride > sulfate > bicarbonate > nitrate. Dissolution of evaporite minerals, such as halite, gypsum and anhydrite, and reverse ion exchange are the predominant processes of groundwater mineralization, generating the Cl–SO4–Ca and Na–Cl major water types. The calculated irrigation water quality index displayed that 55% of the Mornag groundwater samples are distinguished by elevated SAR and PI, suggesting their unsuitability for irrigation. So, the present study has provided a precious insight into the major geochemical processes occurring in the Mornag shallow groundwater and their suitability for irrigation which will support future management of these resources.

Hydrogeochemistry and evaluation of groundwater suitability for irrigation purpose in the Mornag region, northeastern Tunisia

Nitrogen (N) fertilization plays a pivotal role in physiomorphological attributes and yield formation of field-grown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), but little is known of its interaction with irrigation levels. Therefore, this study was conducted with an objective of evaluating the impact of irrigation and nitrogen levels on growth attributes and nitrogen use efficiency of Bt cotton (Gossypium spp.) in the hot arid region. The experiment consisted of a factorial arrangement of three irrigation levels (200, 400, and 600 mm) and four nitrogen rates (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg ha–1) in a split-plot design with three replications. Nitrogen fertilization and irrigation levels influenced cotton growth attributes and yield. The highest leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, and relative growth rate were achieved at 225 kg N ha–1 and irrigation level 600 mm as compared to other experimental treatments. Similarly, nitrogen uptake and content by seed, lint, and stalk and total nitrogen uptake recorded maximum at 225 kg N ha–1 and irrigation level 600 mm. Interestingly, the treatment of 600 mm of irrigation and 150 kg N ha–1 displayed significant increase in nitrogen use efficiency indices such as agronomic efficiency of nitrogen (AEN) and recovery efficiency of nitrogen (REN), while partial factor productivity of nitrogen (PFPN) and internal nitrogen use efficiency (iNUE) were significantly higher with application of 600 mm of irrigation and nitrogen application rate of 75 kg ha–1. Application of 600 mm of irrigation along with 225 kg N ha–1 resulted in significant increase in gross return, net return, and B:C ratio than any other treatment combinations. So, application of 600 mm of irrigation along with 225 kg N ha–1 could be recommended for achieving higher growth and yield, as well as profitability of Bt cotton under hot arid region and similar agroecologies.

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Coupling Effects of Nitrogen and Irrigation Levels on Growth Attributes, Nitrogen Use Efficiency, and Economics of Cotton

The assessment of water quality is one of the important tools for sustainable development and provides decisive information for water management. In identifying water availability for irrigation, knowledge is required on both the quantity and quality; nevertheless, quality need has often been neglected especially in developing countries. Quality should generalize how substantially a water supply fulfils the needs of the planned user and must be assessed based on its suitability for the proposed use. The quality of groundwater is determined by various physicochemical properties and chemical indices. Chemical properties of groundwater are controlled by natural geochemical processes and anthropogenic activities. Therefore, to monitor the quality of groundwater for irrigation purposes, in depth understanding of hydro geochemistry of the water is required since different ions in water have contrasting impacts on soil. The water having high sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) when used for irrigation heighten exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) in the soil thereby adversely affecting the soil structure leading to decrease in infiltration, hydraulic conductivity, enhance surface runoff and erosion. Moreover, the poor-quality water causes impairment in crop growth as high salt concentration in irrigation water results in osmotic stress and ion toxicity in plants.

https://www.longdom.org/open-access/an-overview-of-the-assessment-of-groundwater-quality-for-irrigation.pdf

An Overview of the Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation

A field investigation on direct seeded rice (DSR) was carried out in the two consecutive rice growing seasons of 2017 and 2018 at Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India for the development and validation of soil test crop response (STCR) to fertilizer and for assessing the performance of STCR-treatments as compared to the general recommended dose (GRD) in terms of yield, nutrient uptake and use efficiency, and the economics of DSR. For producing 1 Mg of rice-grain, the required nutrients (N, P, and K) were 2.01 kg, 0.44 kg, and 3.06 kg; the contribution from the soil was 22.05%, 37.34%, and 41.48%; from applied farmyard manure 23.25%, 28.34%, and 16.80%, from fertilizer 38.08%, 49.93%, and 252.98%; and from fertilizer with FYM 44.83%, 60.57%, and 278.70%; for N, P, and K, respectively. The STCR approach, with or without FYM, at both the target yields (4.5 Mg ha−1 and 5.0 Mg ha−1) markedly enhanced the grain yield (20.2% to 32.3%) and production efficiency over the GRD. It also exhibited a higher NPK uptake and use efficiency, along with better profitability, than the GRD. Therefore, the STCR-targeted yield approach could improve the yield, economics, and efficiency of nutrient use for direct seeded rice.

Soil Test Based Fertilizer Application Improves Productivity, Profitability and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Direct Seeded Condition

Solid Waste Management and Policies Toward Sustainable Agriculture

The indiscriminate use of pesticides disturbs the soil environment by affecting flora and fauna including micro-flora of soil. The important micro-flora, beneficial for the growth of plants includes nitrogen fixing bacteria and phosphate solubilizing bacteria, International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 12 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com

Effect of Modern Agricultural Practices on Biological Properties of Rhizospheric and non Rhizospheric Soils of Chaka Block of Allahabad District, U.P.

Evaluation of groundwater quality for irrigation is crucial in arid and semiarid regions of the world because of increasing population, urbanization and rapid growth of industries. In order to ascertain the quality of groundwater, water samples were collected from all the villages of Kaithal block. One hundred thirty two water samples were collected and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soluble cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+) and anions (CO32-, HCO3-, Cl-, SO42- and NO3-) by using standard procedures. The values of sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) of water samples were computed. The pH, EC, SAR and RSC in groundwater ranged from 7.25-9.25, 0.47-6.06 (dSm-1), 3.69- 28.59 (mmol l-1)1/2, 0-5.70 (me l-1), respectively. The concentration of cations viz., Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ varied from 0.40-3.00, 1.10-11.00, 3.20-53.10, 0.06-1.00, me l-1 with mean values of 1.16, 3.59, 16.15, and 0.17 me l-1, respectively. Likewise, the concentration of anions viz., CO32-, HCO3-, Cl-, SO42- and NO3- varied from 0-2.90, 1.00- 8.10, 2.00-28.80,0.28-30.08 and 0-0.90 me l-1 with average values of 1.43, 4.66, 7.32, 7.20 and 0.46 me l-1, respectively. According to AICRP classification, 31.1, 26.5, 8.3, 8.3, 9.9 and 15.9% were of good, marginally saline, high SAR saline, marginally alkali, alkali and highly alkali, respectively. Spatial variability maps of EC, pH, SAR, RSC and water quality of groundwater used for irrigation in the block were also generated. By and large, the analysis of various parameters indicated that quality of groundwater is not safe for irrigation purposes.

https://www.chemijournal.com/archives/2018/vol6issue2/PartJ/6-1-294-678.pdf

Vijay Kant Singh

Papers

An Overview of the Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation

Soil Test Based Fertilizer Application Improves Productivity, Profitability and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Direct Seeded Condition

Solid Waste Management and Policies Toward Sustainable Agriculture

Effect of Modern Agricultural Practices on Biological Properties of Rhizospheric and non Rhizospheric Soils of Chaka Block of Allahabad District, U.P.

Evaluation of groundwater quality for irrigation in Kaithal block (Kaithal District) Haryana