IRRIGATION OF AGRICULTURAL PLANTS BY HIGH MINERALIZATION WATERS

In conditions of an arid region in the Russian Federation, namely, in the Republic of Kalmykia, the uniform and extended development of irrigated agriculture can be ensured even with the existing fresh water resources deficiency in order to provide forage for the predominant economic industry for this territory cattle breeding (sheep breeding, beef farming, horse breeding, and camel breeding) using mineralized water and ensuring the stable high resistance to salt influence and high feeding quality. Recommended technologies of feed crops cultivation (creeping alfalfa and wheatgrass of the salt variety) using the waste and drainage (up to 2 g/l) and mineralized (up to 6 g/l) waters for irrigation allow increasing the irrigated areas and creating conditions for stable formation of forage resources for Kalmykia's cattle breeding industry. This irrigation method allows to significantly reduce salt accumulation in the plough layer and prolong the length of effective irrigation of the land plot with mineralized water.