Application of Different Reclamation Methods on Salt Affected Soils for Crop Production

Abstract

Effects of salic conditions on soil properties under a given land use type and the methods for reclamation has not received the desired research attention in Nigeria. Understanding of how soil properties and crop yield respond to the influence of salic conditions is needed for employment of location-specific management strategies for the economic agricultural production. This study was conducted on salt affected soils during 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 crop years to investigate the soil physico-chemical properties and their effects on two maize cultivar growth and yield. Three approaches were employed to reclaim the salt affected soils in order to increase their efficiency and reduce the time of reclamation. Soils were sampled at two depth intervals: surface (0-15 cm depth) and subsurface (15-30 cm) for physical and chemical analysis. The experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatments were arranged in RCBD and replicated thrice. The treatment applications were 100% gypsum (CaS04) Gypsum requirement (GR); 25 Mg ha -1 gypsum + farm yard manure (FYM) and chiseling. Leaching with irrigation water was done over a period of 2-4 hours per week. During the two cropping seasons, rice and millet crops were grown. Original Research Article Ezeaku et al.; AJEA, 9(2): 1-11, 2015; Article no.AJEA.17187 2 Data collected were analysed statistically following ANOVA technique and treatment differences were evaluated using LSD test. Pre-cultivation soil analysis revealed a mean soil bulk density value of 2.37 g cm -3 and a value of 17.46 for total porosity. Soil pH showed alkalinity (>pH 7.5) with high values of exchangeable bases and base saturation. Post-cultivation results show that highest yields of rice and millet were obtained from application of 100% gypsum. Yields obtained from gypsum + FYM treatments were, however, statistically similar. Yields from control treatment were consistently low. First millet post-harvest (2011/2012 crop year) soil test showed a reduction in electrical conductivity (ECe) value in all treatment plots except in control. The values of soil pH and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) reduced after second millet harvest in 2012/2013 cropping season. The study found that soil chemical properties in control treatment did not improve, while combined use of gypsum + FYM + Chiseling appeared most effective in improving the soil conditions for land use sustainability.