Irrigation soil water availability

In Canada (and by inference Scandinavia and the Soviet Union) these concerns appear in a different light. Our agriculture is circumscribed by the short, cool growing season. Rises of temperature imply for us the possibility of a more diverse, productive and profitable system of cropping. We are, of course, worried about the possibility of reduced soil-water availability — and in many areas a switch to an irrigated system is not possible. Nevertheless we foresee gains. 

There are other preconditioning techniques in addition to heat that could lead to chilling tolerance. Irrigation with saline water (0.25% NaCl w/v) improves carotenoid content and antioxidant activity of tomato (De Pascale et al. 2001) and may lead to enhanced chilling tolerance. In sweet potato cultivars, enhanced coloration as a result of soil condition and water availability also led to high antioxidant potential (Philpott et al. 2003). 

Turbidity, due to solid particles in suspension, is a parameter generally neglected. However, under water scarcity, it is very important to be controlled because it may restrict the use of water for irrigation. Solid particles may clog the water distribution systems as drippers or sprinklers. They may also affect the soil permeability. This is why in different countries in the Mediterranean region special devices for the removal of sediments especially are used when marginal waters are only available for irrigation. 

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