Salinisation of chernozem soils by brackish irrigation water in Southern Ukraine

Abstract

The waters of the South Bug and Kamianska irrigation systems present an average level of soil salinity hazard (ECw = 0.7-3.0 mS/cm) but salt concentration increases in the course of delivery, mainly through evaporation from the Stepivske, Danylivske and Katerynivske reservoirs. Soil salinity levels in the South Bug Irrigation System are less than 2 dS/m, nominally non-saline, but irrigation of Kamianska lands with more mineralised water has increased the salt content in the root zone, reaching ECe values of 4.0-6.0 dS/m, affecting the viability of vegetable crops and corn, but not wheat, barley, sugar beet and soybeans. Salinity is accompanied by an increase in sodium ions so there is a high probability of formation of sodic soils on Kamianska lands.