Irrigation methods suitable for vegetable crops cultivation in sodic soil with alkaline irrigation water

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to investigate suitable irrigation methods for cultivating four types of vegetable crops in sodic soil with alkaline irrigation water. The experiment employed a split-plot design, with drip, sprinkler, and furrow irrigation methods applied to main plots, while the cultivation of cluster beans, bhendi, vegetable cowpeas, and onions took place in subplots. Both drip and sprinkler irrigations proved more efficient than furrow irrigation, resulting in significant yield increases. Specifically, drip irrigation led to yields of 4120, 5160, 9264, and 4019 kg ha⁻¹ for cluster beans, bhendi, vegetable cowpeas, and onions, respectively, in sodic soil with alkaline irrigation water. This represented a yield increase of 43%, 34%, 71%, and 49%, respectively, compared to furrow irrigation. Post-harvest soil samples were collected and analyzed to assess the impact of irrigation methods on soil sodicity, revealing substantial reductions in electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage with drip irrigation. Additionally, drip irrigation was found to be effective in mitigating soil sodicity compared to sprinkler and furrow irrigation methods. The study also identified sodicity build-up as a critical factor influencing soil microbial populations and enzyme activities in sodic soil and alkaline irrigation water environments. Consequently, based on these findings, drip irrigation is recommended as the preferred method for cultivating vegetable crops in such environments.