Irrigation Water Qualities

1. Irrigation water should be free of salts. When irrigation water is used by plants or evaporates from the soil surface salts contained in the water are left behind and can accumulate in the soil. This salt creates a salinity hazard.
2. The irrigation water should be free from high concentration of sodium because, high concentration of sodium creates sodium toxicity in plant and damage fine and medium textured soil and form hard crust on soil surface.
3. Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR) should be below 3.0.
4. Irrigation water should be free from toxic ions, such as sulfate, chloride and boron. Excessive of those ions can be detrimental to plant.
5. Should be Boron free. Boron is present in water as Boric Acid and may be toxic to plant even in a lower concentration.
6. Water should be free from carbonate. When total carbonate exceeds the total amount of calcium and magnesium, the water quality become diminished. Excess carbonate combines with the calcium and magnesium to form a solid material scale which settles out of the water.
7. The pH of irrigation should be between 6.5-7.5 otherwise it may effects the soil acidity and alkalinity.
8. Electrical conductivity should be 0.31 to 0.75 mmhos/cm
9. Nitrate level should be less than 10 mg/l
10. Phosphorus concentration should less then 1 mg/l.