Resource Book on Horticulture Nursery Management

It is necessary to have the basic information with regard to quality of irrigation water
to assess its effect on soils and plants in nursery.
Collection of Irrigation Water Sample
The water sample is colleted about 500 ml glasses or polythene bottle which should
be preferably be transparent. The container should be thoroughly cleaned before use and
should be rinsed three to four times with the water from which the sample is to be drawn.
If the source of irrigation water is tank, canal or river the sample should be drawn
either from a spot away from the sides or from the middle of the stream.
After running the pump for 30 min the tube well sample has to be collected. In case
of open well, several buckets of water have to be thrown out first before sampling. The
water sample after proper labeling and sealing must be sent to the laboratory immediately
for testing to avoid any change or deterioration. If a few days delay is inevitable than two
or three drops of pure toluene may be added to prevent bacterial activity.
Water Quality Criteria for Irrigation
The following chemical properties are normally tested while assessing the quality of
water for irrigation.
� Total Soluble Salt concentration (TSS)
� Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR)
� Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC)
� Boron Content
1. Total Soluble Salt (TSS): The total soluble salt concentration is measured as
electrical conductivity (EC) and expressed as ds/m at 25 0 C temperature.
Sr. No. Salt Concentration (TSS) EC dsm -1 at 25 0 c Class
1 Low