Feasibility of conjunctive use of canal and alkali groundwater for toria–chicory crop rotation in western Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

AbstractThe response of toria–chicory crop rotation under different conjunctive water use modes of good‐quality canal water with an electrical conductivity (ECCW) of 1.8 dS/m, residual sodium carbonate (RSCCW) of 0 and sodium adsorption ratio (SARCW) of 5.97 and alkali water with an ECAW of 2.81 dS/m, RSCAW of 10.12 meq/L and SARAW of 11.45 was evaluated for 5 years (2015–2020) on a well‐drained sandy loam soil. The initial pH of soil saturated paste (pHs), EC of saturated paste extract (ECe) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) values were 8.1, 2.3 dS/m and 5.5, respectively. The pHs values under different modes varied from 7.0 to 9.1, ECe varied from 3.4 to 4.7, and ESP varied from 8.9 to 13.5. The ECe and ESP build‐up affected yields. The highest and lowest yields were recorded in the canal water and alkali water treatments, respectively. Alkali water irrigation at the initial stage adversely affected yield, while canal water irrigation reduced adverse effects. The relative yields and economic returns were better under different conjunctive modes than under irrigation with alkali water alone. Farmers should prefer conjunctive use of canal water with alkali water. The use of canal water at the initial stages of crops is preferable.