Irrigation water testing

Have your water supply analysed for both quality and nutrients (ground water may contain many of the nutrients supplied by fertilisers) and adjust your fertiliser program accordingly.

If, for example, the irrigation water contains 10 mg/L of nitrogen and 5 mm of water is applied, then the amount of nitrogen applied to the soil is 0.5 kg/ha.

Salinity is the most important measure of water quality. A salinity test will indicate whether water is suitable for irrigation.

Dissolved salts in irrigation water affect crop performance in different ways. Not only do the salts inhibit moisture extraction in the root zone but some of the elements they contain (such as chloride, sodium and boron) are also toxic to plants. As a result, growth and yield will be adversely affected.

For further information on the influence of irrigation water refer to the irrigation page of this website or the vegetablesWA Good Practice Guide.