Effect of Quality of Irrigation Water on Dry Matter Production, and on Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus Content of Wheat, Barley and Pea

Abstract

The effect of variation in conductivity, SAR values and.
boron content of applied irrigation water was evaluated for
wheat, barley and pea. In aU the three crops increasing levels
of conductivity, SAR and boron suppressed the dry matter
production. Calcium absorption was increased in all the three
crops with an increase in conductivity. Magnesium absorption
also increased in wheat and pea but an antagonistic trend was
recorded in case of barley. Phosphorus content of pea and
wheat increased with increase in conductivity,SAR and boron
levels. Increasing SAR values of irrigation water resulted in
decreased calcium and magnesium absorption in wheat and
barley but reverse was true in case of pea. Increasing levels
of boron in irrigation water suppressed calcium absorption in
wheat and pea but increased the same in barley. A reverse
trend was observed with respect to magnesium. All first order
interactions have produced significant changes in plants.