The effects of water quality, with special reference to salinity, on spring potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivation

Abstract

This aim of the study was to collect different type of information to evaluate the effects of different water sources and their quality levels, soil salinity and texture in relation to spring potato cultivation. In order to obtain this data, various soil and water samples had to be collected among the most popular farmers that grow spring potato for export. After laboratory analysis of the samples, the data gathered will be studied to determine if and how the water quality, soil sanity and soil texture effect potato yield. Special attention will be given to salinity, a problem that is frequently listed among farmers and even among hydrologists. 福利在线免费 about how salinity affects the crop, the symptoms generated, good managerial agricultural practices to overcome these factors thus increasing yield are all listed in the study. Twenty-five farmers were chosen for this survey. These where spread along the Maltese island. From each farmer a water and soil sample were taken. Other relevant data was collected from site, visually and form the farmer. After that the data has been evaluated, it was found that most of the irrigation water that farmers use to irrigate their crops is high in salinity. This depended heavily upon the water source. Potato yield was also highly affected, as this can be seen from the data collected.