Effect of different quality of irrigation water on wheat yield and soil properties

A field study was carried out to find out the effect of quality of irrigation water on the yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and soil properties in fields irrigated with different water quality i. e. sewage water, sewage water+canal water and canal water alone at Regional Research Station, Bathinda. The wheat yield improved in fields irrigated with sewage water as compared to canal water alone irrigated fields. The soil pH and electrical conductivity of the soils did not differ significantly but organic carbon content was higher in fields irrigated with sewage water than canal water alone. The fields irrigated with sewage water contained maximum content of Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe as compared to canal water alone and content was 2.18, 0.91, 9.81 and 11.29 mg/kg, respectively. The depth-wise distribution of these micronutrients in soils showed a decrease in Zn, Fe and Cu content with the increase in depth.