On the application of arabian gulf water in irrigation: A future possibility

Abstract

Open seas waters have a chlorinity (Cl%o) of 35%o. Chloride and sodium are the dominant ionic species in sea water; where their gravimetric contents are 89.98 and 77.39% of total anions and cations, respectively. Sodium absorption ratio (SAR) is relatively high (59.89). Magnesium is the predominant bivalent cation and its concentration is 5.2 times greater than that of calcium. Therefore, restriction on soil water management should be considered when applying sea water for irrigation. Exchange of water between the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean is restricted through the strait of Hormuz; thus shallow western coasts of the Arabian Gulf can acquire Cl%o as high as 60-70%o. Therefore, highly salt tolerant crops can only be irrigated by Gulf water using certain application/blending strategies. Barley can tolerate 12 dS m water salinity without any apparent yeild decrement. Yield would decrease by 5% per each additional increment in water salinity beyond 12 dS m Thus, if Gulf water salinity was treated according to the model of plant response to time weighted salinity, then barley could alternatively be irrigated with fresh/Gulf water in a way that would save a minimum of 16% of the applied water. Different strategies of applying/mixing good quality water with Gulf water are also discussed.