Impact of Different Periods of Irrigation on Soil Properties and Crop Yield in Vertisols of Ghataprabha Command Area

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess the effect of different periods of irrigation(10-15, 15-20, 20-30 and >30 years) on soil properties and yield of sugarcane and maize under Vertisols of Ghataprabha command area. In each irrigated years, five soil profile and adjacent one unirrigated soil sample was collected from parts of Belagavi and Bagalkot districts. The results of the study revealed that pH and electrical conductivity increased in profile samples from 7.79- 8.62 and 0.3-1.11, respectively in long-term irrigated field and higher values were recorded in soils irrigated for more than 30 years as compared to unirrigated soils. The contents of exchangeable cations were increased with soil depth in irrigated fields. The exchangeable sodium percentage values increased from 8.74-14.2 in different periods of irrigation and with depth in profile samples. The sodium adsorption ratio was increased from 2.24-5.05 in irrigated profile soils as compared to unirrigated soil sample. Bulk density values increased whereas hydraulic conductivity, maximum water holding capacity and per cent water stable aggregate values decreased in irrigated soils as compared to unirrigated soils. The maize and sugarcane yield was decreased in long-term irrigated soils.