Effect of Soil Amendments on Reclamation of Saline-Sodic Soil

K Prapagar,P Premanandharajah,Sp Indraratne

doi:10.4038/tar.v23i2.4648

K Prapagar, P Premanandharajah + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v23i2.4648

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Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted on saline-sodic soil to compare and assess the reclamation ability of different amendments and amendment combinations based on soil quality parameters. Treatments prepared were; T1-control (soil only), T2-soil + 1% cow dung (CD), T3–soil + 1% partially burnt paddy husk (PH), T4-soil + gypsum (GYP)(100% Gypsum Requirement (GR), T5–soil + 1% CD + GYP (100% GR), T6–soil + 1% PH + GYP (100% GR). Organic amendments were applied at 1% of soil weight, and gypsum was applied at 100% gypsum requirement as surface application and incubated at room temperature (31±1 °C) for 90 days. After incubation, 42 days leaching was provided at a rate of 3 l/pot and the application was completed through 6 irrigation cycles/treatment with 7 days interval. After incubation and leaching of soils, onion variety Wallara-60 was grown in these pots. Results obtained both after the incubation and leaching show significant differences in bulk density, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, exchangeable Ca 2+ and Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) among the treatments in comparison with the control. Among the treatments, the highest reduction in SAR (14.62 mmol/l )1/2 and EC (1.71 dS/m) were recorded by the GYP+PH (T6). A significant difference was observed in the tiller number among the treatments. Treatments GYP (T4), CD+GYP (T5) and PH+GYP (T6) showed a significantly higher yield than that of control, while T5 and T6 showing the highest yield. Therefore, incorporation of partially burnt paddy husk and cow dung increased the effectiveness of gypsum in reclaiming saline-sodic soils. Further, the onion yield parameters supported the findings. Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 23 (2): 168-176 (2012) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tar.v23i2.4648

Highlights

Saline and sodic soils are commonly occurring in most part of the world including Sri Lanka
Soil analysis results showed Electrical Conductivity (EC), and Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) values exceed maximum values for a normal arable soil (4 dS/m and 131/2, respectively of EC and SAR), while the other parameters reported as bulk density of 1.35 Mg/m3, pH of 7.86 and exchangeable Ca2+ of
The study revealed that addition of gypsum and organic amendments (CD, paddy husk (PH)) acted as ameliorant to saline-sodic soils

Summary

Introduction

Saline and sodic soils are commonly occurring in most part of the world including Sri Lanka. In semi-arid zones soils tends to accumulate salts in the upper soil profile, especially when it is associated with an insufficient leaching or where soluble salts move upward in the soil profile This kind of accumulation of salts in the soils may alter its physical and chemical properties, including soil structure and hydraulic conductivity. Effect of Soil Amendments on Saline-Sodic Soil capacity and infiltration rates through swelling and dispersion of clays as well as slaking of soil aggregates (Läuchli & Epstein, 1990). These modifications may reduce the yield of crops growing on such soils

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