JUSTIFICATION FOR CHOOSING IRRIGATION WATER SOURCE IN THE STEPPE ZONE OF CRIMEA

Abstract

Purpose: to characterize the main sources of irrigation water in the steppe zone of the Crimea and to assess the prospects for their further use. Materials and methods. Statistical information on water resources use in the irrigated agriculture of the Crimea and the results of monitoring observations over the resource composition of main water sources of the steppe part of the peninsula are considered. To assess the feasibility of using limitedly suitable waters in agriculture, phytotesting on radish and corn seeds conducted. Results. The main sources of water in the steppe zone of Crimea are the system of the North Crimean Canal (more than 30 million cubic meters of water were used for irrigation in 2022) and the wells. However, the resources of the wells in some cases belong to the category of limited use, as their use in the agricultural sector can lead to a deterioration in the reclamation situation and a decrease in crop yields. An analysis of statistical data on crop production on the territory of one of the farms in Pervomaysky district, where limited suitable groundwater has been used for more than 5 years, did not show a significant change in the level of productivity in comparison with the average data for irrigated lands of the republic. The results of phytotesting confirmed that an increase in the irrigation water mineralization to 3 g/l did not form an inhibitory effect on the radish and corn seeds germination. Conclusions. When justifying the choice of a source of irrigation water in the steppe zone of Crimea, besides the results of phytotesting and analysis of statistical information on yields, a preliminary assessment of the suitability of water resources for irrigation, it is necessary to take into account climatic and soil conditions, drainability of the territory, water content of the source, proposed irrigation methods and a list of crops. In the case of using the limited suitable waters, it is necessary to conduct mandatory monitoring observations of soil condition in order to identify and prevent timely the deterioration of the reclamation situation.

Keywords

• agriculture
• water sources
• watercourses
• the north crimean canal
• groundwater intakes
• restricted waters
• irrigation
• crop yield