Abstract
AbstractIn a laboratory experiment pyrites at the rate equivalent to 75% of gypsum requirement was surface applied and mixed with a sodic black clay soil (Vertisol) at 15, 30, 45 and 60% soil moisture content. The soil samples were then incubated for 60, 120, 240 and 360 hours. A separate set of similarly treated soil packed in permeameters was used to estimate saturated hydraulic conductivity. After incubation, FeS2 was oxidised, soil pH and percentage of exchangeable sodium (ESP) decreased and water soluble sulphate and calcium increased with soil moisture content up to 45% and with time of incubation up to 120 hours. The surface application of pyrites proved superior as compared to mixed with soil. Leaching of the soil following incubation with three pore volumes of demineralised water removed most of the water soluble sodium and thus improved the effectiveness of the pyrites in lowering down the soil ESP. The saturated hydraulic conductivity also increased as a result of improved physico‐chemical properties of the soil.
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