THE QUALITY OF WATER USED FOR IRRIGATION OF AGRICULTURAL SOIL IN THE BASIN OF RIVER GREAT MORAVA

Abstract

This paper presents the results of testing the quality of water for irrigation during the growing seasons 2012/2013, in the basin of the Velika (“Great“) Morava River, from Batovac to Varvarin (Gornji Katun), in three monitoring cycles on 20 selected sites belonging to agricultural area under irrigation. It was established that the quality of the surface water corresponded to the standards for irrigation according to pH, conductivity (ECw), dissolved solids (TDS), ion balance: Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, chlorides (Cl-), sulfates (SO42-), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR). The content of the following trace elements and heavy metals was determined: Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, B, As, Fe, Hg. The obtained results imposed that the contents of trace elements and heavy metals in the studied water samples were in the recommended limits. The obtained results also implies on very strong linear correlation for ECw-B in the studied water samples, and moderate linear dependence TDS-Ni; Cr-Fe; Cr-Ni; Cd-Ni; Cr-Pb; Fe-Ni; Fe-Pb; Ni-Pb. Data analysis revealed that the anthropogenic impact on River Velika Morava water in the investigated area does not affect water quality with a view to its applicability for irrigation purposes. Based on results of analysis of water quality of River Velika Morava it can be concluded that it is usable for irrigation of crops and soil with restrictions and frequent quality checking during the summer months.