Water quality assessment for irrigation and use of the water resource of the Togllahuayco gorge

Water used for agronomic purposes has significant effects on crop production as well as on the chemical soil deterioration. This study assesses the quantity and quality of water available for irrigation of a sustainable quinoa crop in the Togllahuayco gorge in Guangopolo parish, Ecuador. This place...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Quinteros Carabalí, Joffre Alejandro, Gómez-García, Javier, Solano, Michelle, Llumiquinga, Gabriela, Burgos, Christian, Carrera-Villacrés, David
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:Ecuador
Institución:Universidad Central del Ecuador
Repositorio:Revista Siembra
Idioma:español
OAI Identifier:oai:revistadigital.uce.edu.ec:article/1641
Acceso en línea:https://revistadigital.uce.edu.ec/index.php/SIEMBRA/article/view/1641
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Seguridad hídrica
Correlación
Conductividad
Disponibilidad de agua
RAS
Water security
Correlation
Conductivity
Water availability
SAR
Descripción
Sumario:Water used for agronomic purposes has significant effects on crop production as well as on the chemical soil deterioration. This study assesses the quantity and quality of water available for irrigation of a sustainable quinoa crop in the Togllahuayco gorge in Guangopolo parish, Ecuador. This place has a volume of 23.347,95 m3 per year of water and only requires 6747,5 m3 per year for quinoa cultivation. Water samples were taken, and the concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, carbonates, bicarbonates, sulfates, chlorides and electrical conductivity were measured. The sodium adsorption ratio index (SAR) was calculated. The Pearson method between RAS variables and electrical conductivity was applied by finding a correlation. The RAS was 3.94 meq/L and the electrical conductivity (EC) was 324 uS/cm. The water is in the C2S1 classification after application of the Richards method presenting a low value of saline hazard and an average value of sodium hazard, being suitable for irrigation. The results of this research are the basis for the development of a sustainable water resources management plan and adequate soil management in this place. In addition, an approach should be implemented that allows ecological recovery of the territory avoiding soil erosion and wear.