Soil salinization risk assessment owing to poor water quality drip irrigation: A case study from an olive plantation at the arid to semi-arid Beit She'an Valley, Israel

Abstract. Salinization causes soil degradation and soil fertility reduction. The main reasons for soil salinization are poor irrigation water quality and incorrect irrigation management. Soil salinization is accelerated owing to irrigation with treated wastewater with elevated salt concentration. The study area is located in the Beit She'an Valley, one of the most important agricultural regions in Israel. The combination of soil salinization and poor drainage conditions impedes plant development and is manifested in economic damage to crops. Without clear irrigation criteria, an increase in soil salinity and steady damage to soil fertility might occur. The study objective was to provide an assessment of soil salting processes as a result of low-quality irrigation water at the Kibbutz Meirav olive plantation. This study combined various research methods, including soil salinity monitoring, field experiments, remote sensing (FDEM), and unsaturated soil profile saline water movement modeling. The assessment included the salinization processes of chalky soil under drip irrigation by water with various qualities. With a drip irrigation regime of water with a dissolved salt content of 3.13 dS/m, the salinization process is characterized by salts accumulation in the upper root zone of the trees. The modeling results showed that there is a soil salinization danger in using brackish water and that irrigation with potable water helps to reduce soil salinization.