Characterization of irrigation water quality of groundnut belt of erstwhile Mahbubnagar district of Telangana

Abstract

An investigation was performed to characterize the irrigation water quality of the groundnut belt in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district, Telangana for which 35 irrigation water samples from both canal and groundwater sources from the study area were collected through a preliminary survey in the selected farmer’s fields. The samples which were analyzed for pH, EC, RSC, SAR Mg/Ca ratio and Kelly’s ratio in the laboratory interpreted that the pH was slightly alkaline (pH: 7.58) with medium salinity (0.64 dS/m) and high Mg/Ca (1.15) ratio though the RSC (5.05) and SAR (2.68) fall in the safe ranges and were classified under C2S1 and C3S1 irrigation water classes. Considering the pH range in the irrigation water, proper management of the soil through incorporation of organic manures at regular intervals is suggested in all the regions of the groundnut belt (highly and marginally potential zones) having pH above 7.50 to prevent mounting up of soil pH when irrigated continuously over a period of time.

Keywords

• Alkalinity
• Irrigation
• Erstwhile Mahabubnagar
• Groundnut
• Salinity
• Water Quality