Salt‐affected Soils in the Platte River Valley of Central Nebraska: Properties and Classification

Abstract

AbstractStudies were undertaken to more fully understand and to properly classify some salt‐affected soils in central Nebraska. In spite of their location on a recent flood plain, these soils appeared to have accumulated illuvial clay in their subsoils and had evidence of removal of materials from the upper solum. A microknoll‐microdepression relief was evident in the permanent pasture, but salt accumulation did not follow expected patterns in relation to it. A thin, white salt crust was evident in irrigated parts of the area, but total salt accumulation in the pedons where the salt crust was evident was not much different from that in the other areas studied. No salic horizon was evident. Organic carbon (C) content of the upper pedon was too low, structure too weak, and consistence too firm to place these soils with Mollisols. Evidence for a Natric horizon was questionable. Therefore, placement in a fine loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Halaquept family is suggested. Since this family is presently not established, a taxadjunct to this category is a possibility. The presence of salt in these soils is most likely the result of a dilute solution of salts in the groundwater. Another mechanism is suggested, however.