Abstract
In recent years, several arid lands have faced the major challenge of increasing risk of soil salinity caused by improper irrigation and drainage practices. Evaluating the relationship between soil salinity, drainage, and irrigation is therefore essential for understanding how to sustain the use of salinized soils in these lands. In this study, subsurface drainage performance, soil salinization risk, and shallow groundwater dynamic were evaluated under irrigation practice in a Tunisian arid land during two successive cropping years (2012–2013 and 2013–2014). Special attention was paid to the effect of subsurface drainage system on soil desalinization. Based on the analysis of the collected data, the following results were found: (1) frequent irrigation was a major factor in the rapid rise of shallow groundwater above critical soil depths; (2) inferior irrigation scheduling (i.e. large irrigation interval of 16–42 days) was the main cause of high soil salinization \((\hbox {EC}_{\mathrm{e}})\) around crop roots \((\hbox {EC}_{\mathrm{e}} > 4\hbox { dS m}^{-1})\); (3) the installed subsurface drainage system in the studied area (i.e. perforated corrugated pipe at a soil depth of 1.5 m) resulted in a substantial soil desalinization rate from the first to the second studied year, the average decrease in \(\hbox {EC}_{\mathrm{e}}\) was 23.3%; (4) the drainage system was unable to drain more than 27% of the salt introduced by the irrigation water due to the clogging of the gravel filter by sand. These results may provide a reference for appropriate restoration in the studied area and in other arid farmlands with similar condition.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Wang, F.; Chen, X.; Luo, G.; Ding, J.: Detecting soil salinity with arid fraction integrated index and salinity index in feature space using Landsat TM imagery. J. Arid Land 5, 340 (2013)
King, C.; Thomas David, S.G.: Monitoring environmental change and degradation in the irrigated oases of the Northern Sahara. J. Arid Environ. 103, 36–45 (2014)
Yang, H.; Chen, Y.; Zhang, F.; Xu, T.; Cai, X.: Prediction of salt transport in different soil textures under drip irrigation in an arid zone using the SWAGMAN destiny model. Soil Res. 54(7), 869–879 (2016)
Omrani, N.; Burger, D.: Water management issues in southern Tunisia under a climate change context. In: Filho, W.L. (ed.) Climate Change and the Sustainable Use of Water Resources. Springer, Berlin, pp 225–235 (2012)
Zammouri, M.; Siegfried, T.; El Fahem, T.; Kriaa, S.; Kinzelbach, W.: Salinization of groundwater in the Nefzaoua Region Tunisia: results of a regional-scale hydrogeologic approach. Hydrogeol. J. 15, 1357–1375 (2007)
Kraiem, Z.; Chkir, N.; Zouari, K.; Parisot, J.C.; Agoun, A.; Hermitte, D.: Tomographic, hydrochemical and isotopic investigations of the salinization processes in the oasis shallow aquifers, Nefzaoua region, southwestern Tunisia. J. Earth Syst. Sci. 121, 1185–1200 (2012)
Yin, L.; Zhou, Y.; Huang, J.; Wenninger, J.; Zhang, E.; Hou, G.; Dong, J.: Interaction between groundwater and trees in an arid site: potential impacts of climate variation and groundwater abstraction on trees. J. Hydrol. 528, 435–448 (2015)
Askri, B.; Ahmed, A.K.; Abichou, T.; Bouhlila, R.: Effects of shallow water table, salinity and frequency of irrigation water on the date palm water use. J. Hydrol. 513, 81–90 (2014)
Belloumi, M.; Matoussi, M.S.: Date yield and water productivity in Nefzaoua Oases of Tunisia: a comparative analysis. New Medit Mediterr. J. Econ. Agric. Environ. 5(2), 52–60 (2006)
Christen, E.W.; Ayars, J.E.; Hornbuckle, J.W.: Subsurface drainage design and management in irrigated areas of Australia. Irrig. Sci. 21(1), 35–43 (2001)
Soppe, R.W.O.; Ayars, J.E.; Schouse, P.; Schoneman, R.A.; Cone, D.; Stuhr, G.: Shallow groundwater management to reduce excess drainage water production in arid and semi-arid irrigated areas. ASAE paper 01–2017. ASAE, St. Joseph, MI (2001)
Ayars, J.E.; Soppe, R.W.; Christen, E.W.; Meyer, W.: Drainage research needs for water management in saline environments. ASAE paper 03–2083. ASAE, St. Joseph, MI (2003)
Khalil, B.M.; Abdel-Gawad, S.T.; Millette, J.A.: Impact of controlled drainage on rice production, irrigation water requirement and soil salinity in Egypt. In: Cooke, R. (ed.) Drainage VIII Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium, Sacramento, CA, USA. 21–24 March 2004. ASAE Publication Number 701P0304, pp 443–452 (2004)
Yu, S.E.; Miao, Z.M.; Xing, W.G.; Shao, G.C.; Jiang, Y.X.: Research advance on irrigation–drainage for rice by using field water level as regulation index. J. Irrig. Drain. 29(2), 134–136 (2010)
Ghazouani, W.: De l’identification des contraintes environnementales a l’évaluation des performances agronomiques dans un système irrigue collectif. Cas de l’oasis de Fatnassa (Nefzaoua, sud tunisien). Ph.D. de l’Ecole Nationale du génie Rural, des Eaux et des Forets, Montpellier, France (2009)
Ben Aissa, I.; Bouarfa, S.; Vincent, B.; Chaumont, C.; Perrier, A.: Drainage performance assessment in a modernized oasis system. Irrig. Drain. 62, 221–228 (2013)
Askri, B.; Bouhlila, R.; Job, J.O.: Development and application of a conceptual hydrologic model to predict soil salinity within modern Tunisian oases. J. Hydrol. 380, 45–61 (2010)
Hassine, H.B.; Slimane, A.B.; Mlawah, M.; Albouchi, L.; Gandouzi, A.: Effects of underground water on soil salinity and dates production in Kebili Oases area (Tunisia): the case of El Bahaier Oasis. IOSR J. Environ. Sci. Toxicol. Food Technol. 4, 51–58 (2013)
Smedema, L.K.; Shiati, K.: Irrigation and salinity: a perspective review of the salinity hazards of irrigation development in the arid zone. Irrig. Drain. Syst. 16, 161–174 (2002)
Bahceci, I.; Dinc, N.; Tarı, A.F.; Agar, A.I.; Sonmez, B.: Water and salt balance studies, using SaltMod, to improve subsurface drainage design in the Konya–Cumra plain, Turkey. Agric. Water Manag. 85, 261–271 (2006)
Gee, G.W.; Bauder, J.W.: Particles size analysis. In: Klute, A. (ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 1. Physical and Mineralogical Methods, 2nd edn. Soil Science Society of America: Agronomy Monograph 9, pp. 383–411. American Society of Agronomy, Madison (1986)
Soil Science Division Staff.: Soil survey manual. In: Ditzler C.; Scheffe K.; Monger H.C. (eds.) USDA Handbook 18. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. (2017)
Gholizadeh-Sarabi, S.; Sepaskhah, A.R.: Effect of zeolite and saline water application on saturated hydraulic conductivity and infiltration in different soil textures. Arch. Agron. Soil Sci. 59(5), 753–764 (2013)
Zaid, A.; Jiménez, E.J.: Date Palm Cultivation. Chapter I: Botanical and Systematic Description of the Date Palm. FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper 156 Rev. 1 (2002)
Huang, C.H.; Xue, X.; Wang, T.; De Mascellis, R.; Mele, G.; You, Q.G.; Peng, F.; Tedeschi, A.: Effects of saline water irrigation on soil properties in northwest China. Environ. Earth Sci. 63, 701–708 (2011)
Rhoades, J.D.: Salinity: electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids. In: Spark D.L. (ed.) Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 3. Chemical Methods, SSSA Book Series no. 5. ASA and SSSA, Madison (1996)
Ibrahimi, M.K.; Miyazaki, T.; Nishimura, T.: A high measurement frequency based assessment of shallow groundwater fluctuations in Metouia Oasis, South Tunisia. Hydrol. Res. Lett. 4, 75–79 (2010)
Maas, E.V.; Hoffman, G.J.: Crop salt tolerance–current assessment. J. Irrig. Drain. Div. ASCE 103, 115–134 (1977)
Maathuis, F.J.: The role of monovalent cation transporters in plant responses to salinity. J. Exp. Bot. 57(5), 1137–1147 (2006)
Ramoliya, P.J.; Pandey, A.N.: Soil salinity and water status affect growth of Phoenix dactylifera seedlings. N. Z. J. Crop Hortic. Sci. 4, 345–353 (2003)
Alrasbi, S.A.R.; Hussain, N.; Schmeisky, H.: Evaluation of the growth of date palm seedlings irrigated with saline water in the Sultanate of Oman. In: ISHS Acta Horticulturae. 882: IV International Date Palm Conference (2010)
Haj-Amor, Z.; Ibrahimi, M.K.; Feki, N.; Lhomme, J.P.; Bouri, S.: Soil salinization and irrigation management of date palms in a Saharan environment. Environ. Monit. Assess. 188(8), 1–17 (2016)
Marlet, S.; Bouksila, F.; Bahri, A.: Water and salt balance at irrigation scheme scale: a comprehensive approach for salinity assessment in a Saharan oasis. Agric. Water Manag. 96, 1311–1322 (2009)
He, B.; Cai, Y.L.; Ran, W.R.; Jiang, H.: Spatial and seasonal variations of soil salinity following vegetation restoration in coastal saline land in eastern China. Catena 118, 147–153 (2014)
Imada, S.; Yamanaka, N.; Tamai, S.: Water table depth affects Populus alba fine root growth and whole plant biomass. Funct. Ecol. 22, 1018–1026 (2008)
Ritzema, H.P.; Satyanarayana, T.V.; Raman, S.; Boonstra, J.: Subsurface drainage to combat waterlogging and salinity in irrigated lands in India: lessons learned in farmers’ fields. Agric. Water Manag. 95(3), 179–89 (2008)
Hou, M.; Zhu, L.; Jin, Q.: surface drainage and mulching drip-irrigated tomatoes reduces soil salinity and improves fruit yield. PLoS ONE 11(5), e0154799 (2016)
Ayars, J.E.; Christen, E.W.; Hornbuckle, J.W.: Controlled drainage for improved water management in arid regions irrigated agriculture. Agric. Water Manag. 86, 128–139 (2006)
Ebrahimian, H.; Parsinejad, M.; Liaghat, A.; Akram, M.: Field research on the performance of a rice husk envelope in a subsurface drainage system (case study Behshahr, Iran). Irrig. Drain. 60(2), 216–228 (2011)
Mardookhpour, A.; Ooshaksaraie, L.: Advantages of utilizing geotextiles in fixing sandy soils and increasing shear strength in water conveyance trenches. Am. J. Geosci. 2(1), 1–3 (2011)
Acknowledgements
The authors express sincere gratitude for the help and financial support provided by the Research Institute for Development (IRD). The authors also thank Ali Mlawah from Agriculture Development Office, Kebili, Tunisia, for the design of the investigated field. The authors also thank Dr. Mohammad Valipour (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, University of Tehran, Iran) who provided helpful comments and suggestions on the early version of this paper. The authors sincerely thank Prof. Joseph Kloepper (from Auburn University, United States of America) and Prof. Rüdiger Anlauf (Osnabrueck University of Applied Sciences, Germany) for the English language assistance.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Haj-Amor, Z., Bouri, S. Subsurface Drainage System Performance, Soil Salinization Risk, and Shallow Groundwater Dynamic Under Irrigation Practice in an Arid Land. Arab J Sci Eng 44, 467–477 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-018-3606-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-018-3606-3