Bhakare, B.D.Sugirtharan Muthucumaran2019-09-182019-09-182007http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810128629With an ever increasing demand for irrigation water supplies, farmers are frequently faced with utilization of poor quality irrigation water. The continued application of poor quality water and its detrimental effects on soil properties can reduce the quality and growth of the plants. In Maharashtra State, wells, ponds, dams, streams are common water sources for irrigation. Problem levels of salinity, sodium, carbonates and pH can occur in well water near to the above mentioned water sources and also near to the unlined canals. Considering all the problems near the canal system, the present investigation was carried out with a view of assessing the well water and soil quality as influenced by the canal water seepage along the sides of Mula right bank canal in Rahuri tahsil, Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra state, India. The well water, canal water and soil samples were collected in the month of December 2006 and analyzed for the pH, EC, Cations (Na, K, Ca and Mg), anions (CO32-, HCO3- Cl- and SO42-), nitrate, boron and derived parameters viz. SSP, SAR, RSC, Ca/Mg ratio and Cl-/SO42- ratio. Their characteristics were compared according to the sites and distance from the canal to find out the trend and the influence of canal on their quality. Results of the chemical analysis showed that water and soil samples had pH greater than 7.0 indicating the alkaline nature. EC of well water and soil ranged from 0.53 to 3.38 and 1.12 to 3.34 dSm-1, respectively. The EC values decreased with the increase in distance from the canal. Among the cations Na was dominant followed by Ca, Mg and K in both well water and soil samples. The water and soil samples were saline to sodic in nature. On the other hand, HCO3- was dominant anion followed by SO42-, Cl- and CO32- in the well water whereas SO42- was dominant anion in the soil followed by Cl- ,HCO3- and CO32-. Boron and nitrate were found in trace amount in both water and soil samples, and were not harmful for crops. Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP) of both water and soil samples showed higher values. Excess Na causes soil dispersion, resulting in poor water infiltration and aeration consequently the crop growth declines. On the other hand according to the SAR, 76 percent of the well waters are classified under satisfactory class and only seven percent of the well waters are unsuitable for irrigation. Comparatively RSC values of well waters were higher than the soils of the study area. The quality parameters of well water showed significant positive correlation with the respective parameters of the soil except Mg and HCO3-, where positive but statistically non significant relationship was obtained.ennullThesis