Assessment of Agricultural Quality of Deep Ground Water in the Lower Alluvial Plants of Narmada Valley Between Khalghat and Harinphal, M.P.

V. K. Parashar, V. L. Punwatkar and H. U. Usmani

Department of Geology, Government Motilal Vigyan Mahavidyalaya, Bhopal - 462 002 (India)

The present study mainly concerns the agricultural quality of deep groundwater in the lower alluvial plains of Narmada Valley between Khalghat and Harinphal M.P. In the study area deep groundwater is being used for irrigational purposes. It is necessary to know the quality of deep groundwater so that it can be judiciously applied for irrigational purposes. In order to evaluate the agricultural quality, 15 representative deep groundwater samples were collected during premonsoon and postmonsoon period and analysed by using the procedure laid down by APHA (1985). The agricultural suitability of deep groundwater was determined in terms of various parameters like Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Kelly’s Ratio, Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Salt Index, Mg. Hazards and Adj RNa. On the basis of irrigational specifications given by Asgar et al. (1936), Kelley et al. (1940), Eaton (1950). US Salinity Laboratory Staff (1954), Wilcox (1955), Paliwal (1972), Suaraj (1981) and Ayers and Westcot (1985), it is suggested that the groundwater of the study area seems quite suitable for irrigational purposes.

Salt index; Kelley’s ratio; magnesium; sodium; bicarbonte hazard