Irrigated lands can produce higher crop yields than those that are only use rain water. However, this has its own set of ill effects. Irrigation water contains dissolved salts and in dry climates much of the water in the saline solution evaporates leaving its salts, such as sodium chloride in the topsoil. The accumulation of these salts is called ‘Salinization’, which can stunt plant growth, lower yields and eventually kill the crop and render the land useless for agriculture. These salts can be flushed out of the soil by using more water. This practice, however, increases the cost of crop production and also wastes enormous of water. This practice however, increases the cost of crop production and also wastes enormous of water. This practice however, increases the cost of crop production and also wastes enormous of water. Flushing out salts can also make the downstream irrigation water saltier.
Another problem with the irrigation is water-logging. This occurs when the large amounts of water are used to leach the slats deeper into the soil. However, if the drainage is poor this water accumulates underground gradually raising the water table. The roots of the plants then get enveloped in this saline water and eventually die.
Thus, in the long run it is better for us to adopt sustainable farming practices to prevent the degradation of soil.
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