Abstract

                                Ground water quality of Horticultural College and Research Institute (HC &RI), Periyakulam located in Theni District, Tamil Nadu was assessed duringJanuary 2021. Ground water samples were collected from bore wells andtheir quality parameters were assessed. pH values ranged from 6.88 to 7.81;electrical conductivity values ranged from 0.20 to 1.28 dSm-1 and most of thesamples were under high salinity class (C3) (84.6%). Calcium, magnesium,sodium and potassium content ranged from 1.68 to 4.72 m.e L-1, 0.72 to 10.6m.e L-1, 1.35 to 10.3 m.e L-1 and 0.05 to 0.23 m.e L-1 respectively. Most of thesamples were found to be magnesium dominating and magnesium exceedsthe calcium content in most of the water samples. Magnesium toxicity willbe exhibited in the continuous use of water to crops. No carbonates werenoticed. Bicarbonates, chloride and sulphate concentration varied from 2.0to 13.4 m.e L-1 , 1.12 to 7.52 m.e L-1 and 0.02 to 0.99 m.e L-1 respectively.The sequence of cations were found in the order of Mg2+ >Na+> Ca2+ >K+and anions followed the sequence of HCO3- >Cl- > SO42-. Total hardness in thestudy area varied from 120 to 686 mg L-1 and majority of the samples (61.5%) were very hard. RSC values varied from -3.76 to 5.24 meL-1 and most ofthe samples come under the moderate category (61.5%) followed by safe(38.5%). RSBC varied from 0.32 to 9.48 m.e L-1 and majority of the samplescome under the safe category (61.5%) followed by unsafe (23.1%) andmoderate (15.4%). SAR values ranged from 0.83 to 5.11 and all the sampleswere found to be low sodium category (S1). There is no sodicity problemexisting in the ground waters. In the present study, the permeability indexranged from 39.4 to 80.3 per cent and the majority of the samples comeunder the permeability hazard class II, which can be used for irrigation withoutany permeability problem in the soils. As per CSSRI, Karnal classification,majority of the ground water samples coming under good (76.9), followedby marginally alkaline (15.4%) and alkaline (7.7%). Marginally alkaline andalkaline waters should be managed carefully to avoid a negative impactson soil and crops.

Key words : Ground water quality; Horticultural College and Research Institute; Periyakulam; Tamil Nadu