Date

2010

Author

Maral, Nuh

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In Turkey, usage of increasing amounts of fertilizers and pesticides by some unconscious farmers cause soil pollution and soil infertility for the crop production. Usage of water in excessive amounts and/or in poor quality for irrigation creates problems during the plant production. So in this study, soil and water samples were analyzed by using simple and reliable techniques for the soil and water quality in laboratories of METU and Soil Fertilizer and Water Resources Central Research Institute Laboratory in Ankara. The soil and water samples were collected using the standard techniques from Ankara, Bolu, Çorum and Kırıkkale. According to the soil test results, the textures of the soil samples are found as loam and clay loam. The total salt content of the soil samples are between 0.033 – 0.063 % (w/w), meaning they are low salinity soils (total salt less than 0.15 % w/w). The pH of the soil samples are between 7.86–8.15, they are slightly alkaline. The phosphorus concentrations of soil samples are in a range 4.95 to 35.45 P2O5 kg/da. Some of the soil samples have too high phosphorus content (greater than 12 P2O5 kg/da). The potassium content of soil samples are found between 141–286 K2O kg/da, so the soil is efficient for crop production. Lime content of the soil samples is between 1.04–2.67 % (w/w) CaCO3. It means all of the soil samples are calcareous but it is not too high for the agricultural production. Organic matter content of soil samples are found between 0.83–2.04 % (w/w). This means the soils are limited in their organic matter content for the crop production. Analysis of 22 water samples yielded EC values between 0.384 – 1.875 dS/m. Water samples have moderate to high-salinity (if EC values between 0.205 and 2.250 dS/m), yet these can be used for the irrigation of the crops. pH values of water samples are found between 7.18-8.10, meaning that they are slightly alkaline. Bicarbonate concentrations of 19 of the water samples are greater than 200 mg/L. These waters may not be suitable for irrigation of ornamental plants. All of the water samples, except water samples from Gölbaşı, have sodium absorption ratio (SAR) values between 1 and 9. Water samples with low SAR values, except water samples from Gölbaşı, can be used for irrigation of almost all soils with little danger of developing harmful levels of sodium. The Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) values of water samples Ankara Gölbaşı and Sincan-1 are greater than 2.50 meq/L and these water samples are not suitable for the irrigation. RSC values of Etimesgut, Sincan-2 and Kazan water samples are positive and lower than the value 2.00 meq /L. All the other water samples have negative RSC values so they are the safe to use for irrigation. It has been observed that development of practical field analysis techniques for all soil and water quality parameters may be possible with exception of micronutrient determination. For determining soil and water quality parameters in the rural areas there is a need to establish a small laboratory with necessary equipment and apparatus and training one or two farmers. With the experience gained in this study, some of these techniques may be adapted to the rural field applications, so soil and water may be tested by the farmers for better yields.

Subject Keywords

Chemistry., Soil quality.

URI

http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12611829/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/19524

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis