Ground water chemical quality estimation for irrigation application in Meghnagar area, Jhabua District, Madhya Pradesh, India

The paper presents an account of chemical quality evaluation conducted for delineation of ground water suitability for irrigation application of the Meghnagar area confined to tribal region of Jhabua district, Madhya Pradesh, India. The investigated area is covering 246.01 km², is characterized by the occurrence of geological formations ranging in age from Archaean to Recent. The selected twenty five dug well water samples have been collected from open dug wells in the Meghnagar area during post-monsoon period and analyzed for determinations of major cations and anions by employing standard methods of chemical analysis in the laboratory. Physico-chemical parameters such as Sodium Percent, Kelley's Ratio, Sodium Absorption Ratio, Residual Sodium Carbonate Ratio and Magnesium hazard for delineation of the ground water quality for irrigation purpose have been documented herein. The analyzed water samples are colourless, odourless, and tasteless having pH (7.00–810), Electrical conductivity (305–910) and Total Dissolved Solids (250–460) ppm). Chemical analysis includes the concentration of ions such as Ca (64–205 ppm), Mg (61–165 ppm), K (40-2.60 ppm), Na (40–76 ppm), Cl (64–205 ppm), SO₄ (60-155ppm), HCO3 (85–260 ppm), NO₃ (12–45 ppm), and F (0.20–1.05 ppm). The computed values of chemical parameters (Sodium Percent, Kelley's Ratio, Sodium Adsorption Ratio, Residual Sodium Carbonate, and Magnesium-Hazard) have been plotted on the U. S. Salinity diagram and Wilcox diagram for demarcation of ground water suitability for irrigation proposes. The chemical, characteristics of ground water delineate its application for irrigation use. In general, ground water is favourable for irrigation purpose in Meghnagar study area of Jhabua district,