Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
Basically, sever ecological features of Khuzestan Plain such as soil salinity, saline water resources, shallow watertable, heavy clay soils, poor drainage and high temperature as well as significant evaporation rates intensify reductions in crop yield, spacially in cases of inappropriate irrigation regime. Besides, saline water is utilized to irrigate crops as an inevitable alternative of scarcely available fresh water resources. In order to cope with drought and salt stresses, an experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of soil salinity on grain yield of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at three irrigation frequencies, with 30%, 50% and 70% plant available water (PAW), and at three salinity levels of irrigation water (≤2, 3-5, and 6-8 dS.m-1), during 2006-09. Based on the results, electrical conductivity of 5 dS.m-1 could be preferentially recommended for irrigating wheat at studied intervals providing 30% PAW without any significant yield loss under the experimental conditions. Irrigation water with electrical conductivity of 6-8 dS.m-1 substantially reduced the grain yield at all irrigation intervals.
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