Academe Research Journals

International Journal of Chemistry and Material Science

Full Length Research Paper

Impact of irrigation on the chemistry of soils from Sangamner Area, Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India

K. K. Deshmukh

Post Graduate Department of Chemistry, Sangamner Nagarpalika Arts, D.J. Malpani Commerce and B.N. Sarda Science College, Sangamner – 422 605, Dist. Ahmednagar, (M.S.), India. E-mail: keshav_deshmukh13@yahoo.in.

Accepted 29 August, 2013

Abstract

Irrigation plays an important role in the present agriculture scenario. It is a major source which helps millions of rural poor in the world to earn their livelihood. Unplanned and unscientific use of both water and soil resources have led to severe deterioration. As a result of this, a greater threat is being posed to social, economic and political stability of many developing countries including India. Introduction of large scale irrigation, excess use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, deforestation and over grazing, leads to accelerated soil degradation. In view of this, Sangamner area of Ahmednagar district, India is selected to study the impact of irrigation on the chemistry of soils. The soil samples were collected from 62 locations covering the entire study area. The samples were analyzed for PH, EC, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, HCO₃^-, and SO₄^2- from saturation extract. The exchangable cations like Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺were determinedby neutral ammonium acetate extract. pH ranged from 8 to 9.7 reflecting alkaline nature of soils. Higher EC in the downstream part reflects low flushing rate and sluggish groundwater movement in the area. The concentration of soluble cations are in the order Na⁺>Ca²⁺>Mg²⁺>K⁺, whereas Cl^- is predominant followed by SO₄^2-and HCO₃^-in the soluble anions. Out of the total exchangeable cations, Ca²⁺ is dominating over the rest of the cations. Salinisation, sodiumization, waterlogging, nitrate pollution and boron toxicity have been identified as the possible impacts of irrigation on the chemistry of soils in the area. The soils from the study area are easily waterlogged during the rainy season. The problem is further aggravated due to decrease in depth of water table by injudicious irrigation and canal seepage. There is an urgent need to focus attention on the protection of soils particularly in the irrigation sector. Frequent awareness and training programs for farmers can be arranged to avoid further degradation of soils.