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<p>Agriculture in Ethiopia is being affected by numerous factors. The major factors that affect crop production and the sustainable use of soils and water are the development of salinity and alkalinity in irrigation water and soil. The problem is common in the arid and semi-arid lands of Tigray due to poor irrigation water management and high evapotranspiration. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the risks and spatial variability of soil and water salinity and alkalinity characteristics in the selected small-scale irrigation schemes in the central and northwestern zones of Tigray, Ethiopia. The samples were collected from the irrigated farmlands using systematic random sampling. Samples were analyzed and computed for electrical conductivity (EC), pH, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Na, K, Ca, Mg, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), chloride, bicarbonate, total dissolved solids (TDS), Kelly ratio (KR), and permeability index (PI). The inverse-distance weighted interpolation technique was applied to map the spatial distribution of EC and pH, which are major indicators of soil salinity and alkalinity.The salinity and alkalinity spatial distribution of pH showed 86.6% of Dura had slight to medium alkalinity, 13.78% of Meskebet experienced alkalinity, and only 4.63% of Dugub had a risk of alkalinity. Similarly, the EC spatial distribution showed 2.02% of Dugub with medium salinity, while 12.71 and 0.8% of Meskebet with medium and high salinity, respectively, while Dura’s 3.12 and 30.73% is with high and medium soil salinity, respectively. The permeability index (58.29–71.49%) in the three schemes was in the range of good to permissible. The TDS and chloride levels were considered low and safe for irrigation. Calcium (Ca + <sup>2</sup>) and magnesium (Mg + <sup>2</sup>) concentrations were lower in Meskebet than in Dura and Dugub, while Dura has significantly higher Na<sup>+</sup> than Meskebet and Dugub irrigation schemes. The level of K was in the order of Meskebet &gt; Dura &gt; Dugub. The bicarbonate content of the irrigation water was also in the medium range for agricultural use. Generally, the presence of salinity and alkalinity with different risk levels and their spatial variability suggest the need for integrated nutrient management, proper drainage, and leaching in the irrigation schemes.</p>

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Irrigation water quality and soil salinity-alkalinity distribution of selected irrigation schemes in central and Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月5日

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  • Mengistu Welemariam,
  • Gebretnsae Mekonen,
  • Abraha Arefaine,
  • Migbey Miesho

摘要

Agriculture in Ethiopia is being affected by numerous factors. The major factors that affect crop production and the sustainable use of soils and water are the development of salinity and alkalinity in irrigation water and soil. The problem is common in the arid and semi-arid lands of Tigray due to poor irrigation water management and high evapotranspiration. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the risks and spatial variability of soil and water salinity and alkalinity characteristics in the selected small-scale irrigation schemes in the central and northwestern zones of Tigray, Ethiopia. The samples were collected from the irrigated farmlands using systematic random sampling. Samples were analyzed and computed for electrical conductivity (EC), pH, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Na, K, Ca, Mg, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), chloride, bicarbonate, total dissolved solids (TDS), Kelly ratio (KR), and permeability index (PI). The inverse-distance weighted interpolation technique was applied to map the spatial distribution of EC and pH, which are major indicators of soil salinity and alkalinity.The salinity and alkalinity spatial distribution of pH showed 86.6% of Dura had slight to medium alkalinity, 13.78% of Meskebet experienced alkalinity, and only 4.63% of Dugub had a risk of alkalinity. Similarly, the EC spatial distribution showed 2.02% of Dugub with medium salinity, while 12.71 and 0.8% of Meskebet with medium and high salinity, respectively, while Dura’s 3.12 and 30.73% is with high and medium soil salinity, respectively. The permeability index (58.29–71.49%) in the three schemes was in the range of good to permissible. The TDS and chloride levels were considered low and safe for irrigation. Calcium (Ca + 2) and magnesium (Mg + 2) concentrations were lower in Meskebet than in Dura and Dugub, while Dura has significantly higher Na+ than Meskebet and Dugub irrigation schemes. The level of K was in the order of Meskebet > Dura > Dugub. The bicarbonate content of the irrigation water was also in the medium range for agricultural use. Generally, the presence of salinity and alkalinity with different risk levels and their spatial variability suggest the need for integrated nutrient management, proper drainage, and leaching in the irrigation schemes.