Effect of amendment sources under subsurface drainage system on physical and chemical properties of sodic soil

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of amendment sources under subsurface drainage system on physical and chemical properties of sodic soil classified as a fine montmorillonite hyperthermic family of Sodic Calciustert. The field experiment was conducted at Post Graduate Institute, Research Farm, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, MPKV, Rahuri, during Kharif 2019. Experimental soil showed strongly alkaline reaction, normal electrical conductivity, medium organic carbon content and moderately calcareous. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replication and twelve treatments. The treatment comprised of T1: Absolute control, T2: Gypsum as per 100% GR, T3: Elemental sulphur as per 1/5th of GR, T4: Zeolite @ 600 kg ha-1, T5: Gypsum as per 100% GR + zeolite @ 600 kg ha-1, T6: Gypsum as per 50% GR + zeolite @ 600 kg ha-1, T7: Gypsum as per 100% GR + zeolite @ 300 kg ha-1, T8: Gypsum as per 50% GR + zeolite @ 300 kg ha-1, T9: Elemental sulphur as per 1/5th of GR + zeolite @ 600 kg ha-1, T10: Elemental sulphur as per 50% of 1/5th GR + zeolite @ 600 kg ha-1, T11: Elemental sulphur as per 1/5th of GR + zeolite @ 300 kg ha-1 and T12: Elemental sulphur as per 50% of 1/5th GR + zeolite @ 300 kg ha-1. The results of investigation revealed that, the amendments applications in sodic soil under SSD system was influenced the soil physical and chemical characteristics. Significant results were found in reclamation of sodic soil. The physical properties of soil i.e. hydraulic conductivity and bulk density of sodic soil in SSD field was significantly improved by treatment Gypsum as per 100% GR + zeolite @ 600 kg ha-1 at harvest of crop.ESP and exchangeable cations i.e. Ca2+, Na+, Mg+ and K+ content of sodic soils in SSD field after harvest of crop was significantly influenced by treatment Gypsum as per 100% GR + zeolite @ 600 kg ha-1 except exchangeable Mg2+ which shows nonsignificant effect. Soil organic carbon, calcium carbonate and cation exchange capacity of sodic soils in SSD field are influenced by the inorganic amendments after harvest of crop. The organic carbon content of sodic soils in SSD field was significantly higher in treatment Gypsum as per 100% GR + zeolite @ 600 kg ha-1, applied Elemental sulphur as per 1/5th of GR + zeolite @ 600 kg ha-1 was found significantly lower values of CaCO3 and cation exchange capacity was significantly increased by the Gypsum as per 100% GR + zeolite @ 600 kg ha-1. The SAR in which cations and anions in saturation paste extract of sodic soil in SSD system was significantly influenced by treatment Gypsum as per 100% GR + zeolite @ 600 kg ha-1 after harvest of crop. Whereas, sulphate content was non-significant and carbonates was in trace amount.