THE USE OF SALINE WATERS FOR CROP PRODUCTION

1. Introduction. 2. Saline waters as resources. 2.1 Quality characteristics of saline related parameters. 2.1.1 Definitions and indices of salinity related parameters. 2.1.2 Classification of saline waters. 2.2 Sources and availability of saline waters. 3. Examples of use saline waters for irrigation. 3.1 United states of America. 3.2 Israel. 3.3 Tunisia. 3.4 India. 3.5 India 3.6 Egypt. 4. Water quality assessment. 4.1 Concerns and limitations 4.1.1 Effects of salts on soils. 4.1.2 Effects of salts on plants. 4.1.3 Effects of salts on crop quality. 4.2 Criteria, standards and consideration in the assessment of the suitability of saline water for irrigation and crop production. 4.2.1Criteria and standards for assessing suitability of saline water for irrigation. 4.2.2 Considerations in assessing permeability and tilt hazards. 4.2.3 Considerations in assessing and toxicity hazards. 4.3 Methods and models for assessing the suitability of saline water for irrigation and crop production. 4.3.1 Use of the wetsuit computer model. 4.3.2 Use of a non-computer version of wetsuit model. 4.3.3 Use of a production-function model. 5. Environmental and ecological aspects. 5.1 Nature and causes of environmental problems. 5.1.1 Soil degradation (salinization and waterlogging) 5.1.2 Water pollution. 5.1.3 Ecosystem disturbances. 5.1.4 Water-borne diseases. 5.2 Impacts of blending on water usability and pollution. 6. Management guiding principles and practices for safe use of saline water. 6.1 Management guiding principles. 6.2 Management for crop production. 6.2.1 Growing seedbeds and grading fields to minimize local accumulations of salinity 6.2.3 Managing soils under saline water irrigation 6.2.4 Operating delivery systems efficiently 6.2.5 Irrigating efficiently. 6.2.6 Monitoring soil water and salinity and assessing adequacy of leaching and drainage. 6.3 Management for environmental protection. 6.3.1 Practices to control salinity in water resources. 6.3.2 Integrated strategy to facilitate the use of saline waters for irrigation to minimize drainage disposal problems and to maximize the beneficial use of multiple water sources.

ENGLISH