Irrigation Suitability and Categorization of Farmers Assistive Water Samples in Chiniot District under Climate Change

In present study, a total of 85 irrigation water samples were collected and directly received from farmers of Lalian, Bhowana and Chiniot tehsils. These samples were analyzed for water soluble cations and anions to determine their salinity/sodicity by electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC). The laboratory analyses results showed that forty-one (48%) ground water samples of district Chiniot were found suitable for irrigation purposes. Among remaining water samples, twenty-one (25%) were marginally fit and twenty-three (27%) were unfit for irrigation to field crops. Using further geographical information system (GIS) based maps to commemorate the findings, we can also deduce that district Chiniot's ground water quality is steadily declining beyond acceptable limits. Consequently, the concerned farmers, soil scientists, agronomists, and local government should take immediate action to choose appropriate water treatment techniques.