SALINIZATION OF IRRIGATED LANDS AND MEASURES TO COMBAT IT (A CASE STUDY OF QARAOZEK DISTRICT)

Abstract

The paper studies the processes of secondary salinization of irrigated lands under the conditions of Qaraozek district, the causes of their occurrence and the ways of improving the reclamation state of the soil. Shallow groundwater (on average 1.2-2.2 m), a sharply continental climate with summer air temperatures rising to +40-45 °C and intensive evaporation cause mineral salts to rise by capillary action and accumulate in the active soil layer; chloride-sulphate and sulphate types of salinization predominate in the district. Deteriorating collector-drainage networks, leaching by general rather than differentiated norms and limited use of water-saving technologies such as laser levelling aggravate the situation: about 60-70 % of the irrigated lands are salinized to various degrees. On this basis, practical recommendations for reducing land degradation are proposed.