WATER QUALITY OF TUBE WELLS LOCATED IN SUGARCANE CULTIVATED AREAS OF SARGODHA AND JHANG DISTRICTS

Abstract

A study was undertaken in Sargodha and Jhang districts to categorize suitability of tube well water for irrigation. In total, 55 water samples were collected in different localities: 14 from Sargodha and 41 from Jhang district. The samples were analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and boron (B). With respect to EC it was found that 28 % samples in Sargodha and 44 % samples in Jhang district were marginally fit to unfit for irrigation purpose. With respect to SAR, 14 % samples at Sargodha and 24 % samples at Jhang were marginally fit to unfit respectively. Based on RSC value 36% samples at Sargodha and 37 % samples at Jhang were marginally fit to unfit for irrigation. On the combined basis of three parameters, only 14.3 % tube well water samples at Sargodha and 17.1 % samples at Jhang were unfit for irrigation. In tube well water Boron was found 2-3 times more than canal water. It can be concluded that brackish water should be used through proper treatment for crop production especially sugarcane. Boron should only be applied on recommendation.