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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp5 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Impact of irrigation water quality on grain yield, chlorophyll content and ionic accumulation in paddy

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.15514
Submitted
12 May 2026
Published
30-07-2026

Abstract

In semi-arid regions, where groundwater serves as the primary source of irrigation, its quality plays a crucial role in sustaining soil health and agricultural productivity. This study assessed the groundwater quality and its effect on paddy crop performance in Hanumakonda district of Telangana state, India, through an integrated hydro chemical, spatial and crop response integrated approach. During the post-monsoon season (2024–25), A total of 78 groundwater samples were collected from 78 different locations across the study area and analysed for various parameters including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+), anions (CO₃2-, HCO₃-, Cl-, SO₄2-), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and boron (B). The dominant cations and anions followed the order Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ > Na+ and Cl- > SO₄2- > HCO₃- > CO₃2-, respectively. Based on CSSRI classification 48 % of samples were suitable for irrigation and the rest showed salinity and alkalinity hazards. Strong negative correlation between EC and grain yield (r = -0.94**) and between EC and SPAD (r = -0.90**) was found and at the same time a strong positive correlation between grain yield and SPAD (r = 0.95**) was obtained, while a strong negative correlation between grain yield and leaf sodium (r = -0.97**) was also obtained. Groundwater quality was mapped using GIS and spatial variability was identified. The findings provide valuable insights for sustainable groundwater management and irrigation planning in semi-arid agroecosystems.

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