Salinity patterns in irrigation systems, a threat to be demystified, a constraint to be managed: Field evidence from Algeria and Tunisia

Bouarfa Sami, Marlet Serge, Douaoui Abdelkader, Hartani Tarik, Mekki Insaf, Ghazouani Wafa, Ben Aissa Imed, Vincent Bernard, Hassani F., Kuper Marcel. 2009. Salinity patterns in irrigation systems, a threat to be demystified, a constraint to be managed: Field evidence from Algeria and Tunisia. Irrigation and Drainage, 58 (3), suppl., S273-S284

https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.524

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Résumé : Salinity problems induced by irrigation are often presented in the literature as a threat that can only be managed at the irrigation scheme scale by installing subsurface drainage. On the other hand, salinity is a constraint that has often been successfully managed locally by farmers adapting their practices. However, the continuing expansion of irrigation with related water scarcity problems plus the increasing use of groundwater of marginal quality has resulted in a new challenge that is difficult to handle at the farm level only. To assess the dynamics of soil salinity and water quality together with farmers' salinity management practices, we adapted a common approach to analyze two contrasted salinity patterns: a traditional salinity pattern in an oasis (Fatnassa, Tunisia), and a recent sodicity pattern in a large irrigation scheme (Lower Chelif, Algeria). This approach which combines surveys on farmers' perceptions and practices and salinity measurements and geochemical analysis paves the way for more integrated management of salinity problems related to water scarcity.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : salinisation du sol, eau d'irrigation, eau souterraine, oasis, pratique culturale, gestion des eaux

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : Algérie, Tunisie

Classification Agris : F06 - Irrigation
P10 - Ressources en eau et leur gestion

Champ stratégique Cirad : Axe 1 (2005-2013) - Intensification écologique

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