| dc.description.abstract | The effect of groundwater salinity and depth on soil salinity was investigated in a furrowirrigated
area of Kenya dqring consecutive wet and dry seasons. The groundwater salinity was
significantly (P < 0.05, R2 = O.75-O.88) related to soil salinity when the groundwater depth
fluctuated within O-1 m depth in both seasons. When the groundwater remained below I m,
the relationship was not linear. This meant that when saline groundwater existed within I m
from the soil surface, soil salinity ensued even when low salinity (electrical conductivity = O.2a
dS m-l in the dry season) irrigation water was used. The depth of the groundwater table was
different in each season. In general, deep levels occurred during the dry season while shallow
water tables existed during the wet season. Thus, leaching of excess salts by rainwater was
likely to be compounded by the shallow saline groundwater table and therefore not feasible if
the saline groundwater table was <1 m regardless of season. | en |
