SUBSOIL IRRIGATION OF CRIMEAN VINEYARDS WITH DESALINATED CONDENSATE OF SEA AND SALT LAKE WATER
The paper discusses the use of salt water for irrigation of perennial crops in areas adjacent to water sources with high salt content, including sections of the coast. The authors give a brief analysis of various ways to reduce the salt content in water. Particular attention is paid to the removal of salts by distillation of salt water using solar energy. Various designs of solar desalination plants patented in different countries are considered. The authors propose a method for subsoil irrigation of perennial crops with salt water, which consists in evaporating water using solar energy, saturating the air with steam and then supplying it through perforated pipes to the soil where steam condensation occurs. To implement this method, a special device has been developed. The effectiveness of the application of this method and device in agricultural production is considered using an example of the Crimea vineyards. It has been established that the subsoil water supply will reduce moisture loss by 20...30% as compared to drip irrigation by preventing evaporation from the surface of a wet spot near the dropper. Due to this, the irrigation rate can be reduced to 400...500 m3/ha or up to 50 liters per 1 m2. Implementation of the proposed method will allow irrigating perennial crops with desalinated salt water and prevent salt accumulation in the soil and the loss of water by evaporation.