Irrigation quality of ground water of 106 villages in Jhang district

A study was conducted in 106 villages of Jhang district to assess the suitability of ground water for irrigation. Water sampling was done four times i.e. pre-mon soon 2003, post-mon 2003, pre-mon soon 2004 and post-mon soon 2004. Chemical analysis was done for electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and residual sodium carbonate (RSC). Out of total 106 water samples, 30 (28.3%) were unfit and remaining 76 (71.7%) were fit for irrigation. Eighteen samples (16.98%) had electrical conductivity higher than permissible limit (i.e. ≥1.50 dS m-1), 7 samples (6.6%) were found with high SAR [i.e. ≥10 (m mol L-1)0.]], and 19 samples (17.92%) had high RSC (i.e. ≥2.5 me L-1). It can be inferred from data that quality of available ground water in some of the villages is not suitable for sustainable crop production and soil health

Keywords:

Ground water , EC , SAR , RSC