Work

Evaluating the Effects of Irrigation Water Quality and Compost Amendment on Soil Health and Crop Productivity

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Brackish water is becoming an increasingly important resource for agricultural irrigation due to limited freshwater availability; however, significant concerns persist regarding its potential to degrade soil quality and reduce crop yields. This study evaluates the combined effects of irrigation water quality and compost amendment on soil health and crop productivity, focusing on chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) growth. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using a full factorial design with three variables: irrigation water quality (brackish and agricultural water), varying soil types, and compost treatment (no compost, mulch compost, and incorporation of mulch compost and a bio-rich compost). Brackish water with electrical conductivity (EC) of 2958 µS/cm and agricultural water with EC 796 µS/cm were applied to study the effects of water salinity on soil moisture, soil EC, and nutrient leaching. Compost amendments significantly improved plant height by 58-213%, root length by 35-166%, and wet biomass by 154-1400% compared to control treatments. Bio-rich compost with a high fungi/bacteria ratio consistently outperformed other treatments by enhancing plant growth parameters and reducing the soil sodium adsorption ratio, thus mitigating the negative impact of brackish water irrigation. Soil leachate analysis revealed that brackish water led to higher ion leaching, particularly Na⁺, Cl⁻, and SO₄²⁻, increasing the risk of soil degradation. Soils incorporated with mulch and bio-rich composts showed better moisture retention and reduced soil salinity across all depths. These results highlight the effectiveness of compost in improving soil health and productivity under brackish irrigation, providing a sustainable strategy for managing crop production in water-scarce regions.

Source: Water

DOI: 10.3390/w17202927

Authors: S Suvendran, Miguel Acevedo, Breana Smithers, Stephanie J. Walker, Pei Xu

Institutions: New Mexico State University, University of Kelaniya, University of North Texas

Language: English

Topic: Irrigation Practices and Water Management

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137