Journal Article

The Role of Toposequence and Underground Drainage in Variation of Groundwater and Salinity Levels in Irrigated Areas

Silva, Andrey Thyago Cardoso S. G. da, Ferreira Júnior, José Fernandes, Oliveira, Tarcísio Ferreira de, Lima, Laercia da Rocha Fernandes, Deon, Magnus Dall Igna, Jimenez, Keila Jeronimo, Santos Júnior, José Amilton, Barbosa, Rebeca Neves, Almeida, Ceres Duarte Guedes Cabral de, Silva, Manassés Mesquita da, Amorim, Valdiney Bizerra de, Melo, Gabriel Rivas de

2026

Overview

In irrigated areas around the world, the recommendation for the use of subsurface drainage is also associated with controlling salinity problems. Due to the high implementation cost, the search for solutions that make this requirement more flexible is necessary. Among the options to be investigated is the hypothesis that the height and salinity of the water table in plots located at the highest points of a toposequence are lower and do not compromise plant development, even without underground drainage systems. In this context, the present work was developed to monitor and evaluate the variation in water level or mottling over twelve months, as well as to measure and analyze the electrical conductivity and average pH of the water table during this period and its possible impact on plants. For this purpose, three lots in toposequence were selected in the Senador Nilo Coelho Public Irrigation Project, Petrolina—PE, with previously defined characteristics: soil classification (Plinthic Yellow—Ultisol), crop planted (Mangifera indica L.) and irrigation system used (micro-sprinkler). Precipitation, reference evapotranspiration and volume of water applied via irrigation were monitored by an automatic weather station and hydrometers in each lot. In each plot, nine observation wells were installed, distributed in a grid, with the aim of make monthly measurements of the water table level or mottling. The electrical conductivity and pH of the groundwater were also measured to obtain the average monthly value for each lot. Illustrative 3D maps of the water table level in relation to the ground surface were created using the simple kriging method, in the UTM SIRGAS 2000 24S projection system. The absence and presence of groundwater in the upper and lower hillslope lots, respectively, were favored by the toposequence. The decision to install underground drainage or not can be made on a case-by-case basis; this must take into account, among other aspects, changes in physical characteristics along the soil profile, possible occurrence of mottling, the quality of water for irrigation, the irrigation management adopted and the position of the lot in the toposequence.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Automatic weather stations / Crops / Drainage / Drainage systems / Electric properties / Electrical conductivity / Electrical resistivity / Environmental aspects / Evapotranspiration / Geomorphology / Groundwater / Groundwater table / hillslope / Humidity / Hydrometers / Hypotheses / Irrigated areas / Irrigation / Irrigation systems / Irrigation water / microsprinkler / Observation wells / Physical characteristics / Physical properties / Salinity / Salinity effects / semi-arid / Soil classification / Soil profiles / Soil properties / soil salt balance / Subsurface drainage / sustainability / Topography / Water levels / Water management / Water quality / Water table / Water, Underground