Physicochemical responses of soil and caraway crop to drip irrigation with magnetized saline irrigation

Magnetization of irrigation water has gained increasing attention in agriculture. Salinity stress markedly decreases caraway growth and productivity. This study aimed to determine the optimal irrigation approach using magnetic water technology for improving caraway genotype efficiency, yield, and irrigation water productivity (IWP). This investigation was conducted at the Wadi El-Natrun Research Station, under the auspices of the Water Management Research Institute, National Water Research Center, Egypt. This study included four treatments, using magnetic and non-magnetic water, applied under two different drip irrigation systems (surface and subsurface). The findings indicated that in the absence of magnetic treatment, EC values increased after irrigation at all soil depths. In contrast, the use of magnetized water consistently reduced irrigation requirements in both surface (SDI) and subsurface (SSDI) drip systems, with reductions of 619 and 681 m³/ha, respectively. Furthermore, magnetized water increased IWP by approximately 16% and 14% under SDI in the 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively, compared to non-magnetized treatments. SSDI with magnetized water also had a pronounced positive effect on overall caraway productivity per feddan, with average friut yield increasing by approximately 10.38% and essential oil yield rising by more than 24.56%. The benefit-cost ratio improved from 2.48 to 2.53 under SDI and from 2.54 to 2.62 under SSDI in the first season, highlighting increased economic efficiency. These results underscore the potential of advanced magnetic technologies and modern irrigation practices in enhancing caraway performance under saline stress. Future studies will assess different magnetic field strengths, optimal exposure time, and the best placement of the magnetization unit to maximize water use efficiency.