Abstract
In a series of experiments to test the use of magnetized saline waters in irrigation, the objective of the present work was to determine the effect of magnetized saline groundwater on yield of corn and wheat and soil salinity and compare that with river water and saline water. The work included conducting of field experiments and cultivation of corn (faH 2000 season) and wheat (2000/2001 season). For irrigation, we used river water (RW) with electrical conductivity of 1.4, saline well water (SW) 5.8, and magnetized saline well water (MSW) 5.8 dS/m. A net of irrigation pipes was installed for river water and saline water. Also, the system of magnetic Care Free of 2 inches in diameter was installed with the saline water line. Irrigation water was applied on the basis of depiction of 40-50% of available water using the soil neutron moisture meter. Soil salinity was monitored for the 0-30, 30-60, and 0-60 cm depths before cultivation and after harvest for both crops. Estimation was made for yield of both crops.
Application of saline water showed significant differences in yield of corn. Irrigation with SW significantly reduced yield of ears and grain by 43 and 60%, respectively. Conversely, no clear reduction in grain yield of wheat was observed and this reduction did not exceed 1%. In addition, wheat is considered as moderately salt-tolerant crop. Although the use of magnetized saline water did not cause significant differences in yield of corn compared to saline water, but, its use increased yield of ears and grains by 11 and 15%, respectively.. The effect of magnetizing water is attributed to changes in physical and chemical properties of water resulting in improvement of filtration properties and in an increase of dissolving properties. At the same time, no effect was observed of the magnetized saline water on yield of wheat compared to river water and saline water. Irrigation with saline water caused art increase in soil salinity as compared with river water. On the other hand, magnetizing of saline water did not change soil salinity and the differences remained slight and non significant.