Effects Of Soil Sodicity Research Articles

Effects of soil sodicity on growth, nutrients uptake and Bio-chemical responses of Ammi majus L.

Effects of soil sodicity on growth, nutrients uptake and Bio-chemical responses of Ammi majus L.

Influence of Soil Sodicity on the Growth, Alkaloid Yield, and Cation Accumulation of Catharanthus roseus

The effects of soil sodicity (exchangeable sodium percentage, or ESP) on the growth, alkaloid yield, and cation accumulation of two cultivars of Catharanthus roseus (Nirmal and Dhawal) was studied in a pot experiment. The leaves and stem yield of C. roseus significantly increased with an increase in soil ESP from 4.3 (control) to 16.9, but thereafter yield decreased with further increases in soil ESP. The severe leaf injury symptom from soil sodicity was exhibited in both cultivars at 32 weeks after transplanting into soil at ESP levels of 44.9 and above. Root yields of C. roseus were also significantly reduced with an increase in soil ESP. Total alkaloid yield in leaves increased with increases in soil at ESP levels of 32.0 and 16.9 for the cultivars Nirmal and Dhawal, respectively, but further increases in soil ESP the total alkaloid yield significantly decreased. The vindoline content in leaves of C. roseus significantly decreased with an increase in soil ESP. In the shoot and root tissues of C. roseus, the concentration of sodium significantly increased and that of potassium, and calcium decreased in plants grown in soil with high sodicity (ESP 44.9 and above) as compared with the control.

Effect of Soil Sodicity on Growth, Yield, Essential Oil Composition, and Cation Accumulation in Rose‐Scented Geranium

The effect of soil sodicity [exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP)] on the growth, yield, essential oil composition, and cation accumulation of two cultivars (Bourbon and Cimpawan) of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) were studied in a pot experiment. Irrespective of soil sodicity, two cultivars of geranium differed significantly in their plant height and herb and oil yield. Plant height was not significantly affected with increases in soil ESP from 0.7 (control) to 20.0 and 7.0, respectively, for cultivars (cv) Bourbon and Cimpawan, but further increase in soil ESP decreased the plant height. The herb yield of cv Bourbon significantly increased with increasing soil ESP to 16.0, and the oil yield increased with increasing ESP to 7.0. Further increase in soil ESP decreased the yield. The increase in yield of cv Bourbon was 13.1 and 15.1% in the herb and 40.0 and 15.2% in the oil over the control (ESP 0.7) at soil ESP of 7.0 and 16.0, respectively. Decreases in yield were 3.5, 4.9, 53.3, and 59.3% in the herb yield and 3.8, 5.7, 53.3, and 80.0% in the oil over control (ESP 0.7) at soil ESP of 20.0, 24.0, 28.0, and 30.0, respectively. The herb and oil yield of cv Cimpawan significantly decreased with increase in soil ESP. The decease in yield was 17.7, 20.2, 40.7, 53.1, 70.7, and 72.6% in the herb and 4.0, 6.8, 30.9, 45.4, 83.2, and 84.0% in the oil over control (soil ESP 0.7) at the soil ESP 7.0, 16.0, 20.0, 24.0, 28.0, and 30.0, respectively. The concentration of isomenthone, linalool, citronellyl formate, and geranyl formate in the essential oil increased at low levels of soil ESP (between 16.0 to 24.0) but decreased at high soil ESP (>28). The concentration of l‐citronellol, nerol, and geraniol gradually increased with increase in soil ESP. The increase in the soil ESP enhanced the concentration of sodium (Na) and decreased that of potassium (K) in shoot and root tissues of geranium as compared to control. The concentration of Ca in shoot tissues of cv Bourbon significantly decreased with increase in soil ESP, but in the cv Cimpawan, the Ca concentration was not significantly affected with increase in soil ESP from 0.7 to 16.0, and thereafter the Ca concentration significantly decreased with further increase in soil ESP. The concentration of Na, K, and Ca were relatively higher in shoot than in root tissues. The K/Na and Ca/Na ratios in shoot tissues of both cultivars of geranium decreased with increase in soil ESP. The K/Na and Ca/Na ratios in shoot were not found to be related to the differences in sodicity tolerance of the cultivars of geranium tested in this experiment. The concentration of zinc (Zn) in shoot tissues decreased with increase in soil ESP. The cv Bourbon maintained a higher concentration of Zn in shoot tissues at high sodicity than that of cv Cimpawan. The results suggest that the geranium is slightly to moderately tolerant of soil sodicity stress.

Effect of Soil Sodicity on the Growth, Ion Content and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Effect of Soil Sodicity on the Growth, Ion Content and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

EVAPORATION AND CRUST IMPEDANCE ROLE IN SEEDLING EMERGENCE

Seedling emergence is affected by soil crusting through two mechanisms-crust impedance (CI) and crust effect on evaporation rate that determine the moisture content in the seed bed. The relative importance of these two mechanisms was evaluated in this study. The effects of soil sodicity, phosphogypsum (PG), polyacrylamide (PAM), and raindrop impact energies on evaporation and CI of two soils, hamra (mixed, loamy, typic Rhodoxeralf) and loess (mixed, silty loam, calcic Haploxeralf), and their consequential effects on seedling emergence, were studied under high and low evaporation conditions (8.5 and 5.6 mm day -1 , respectively). Increasing the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) from 3.0 to 7.0 decreased the rate of evaporation from the loess by 10% and doubled the soil CI. Under mist (low raindrop energy), crust formation did not occur, and evaporation from both soils was higher than that from crusted soils. Rain energy and PG had a more significant effect on the evaporation rate (ER) and CI of the hamra than that of the loess. The effect of PG on ER in the loess was negligible. Cotton seedling emergence was affected by evaporation rate and the moisture content in the seed bed, but it was not affected by crust impedence. Conversely, onion seeds were affected by both, moisture content in the seed bed and by crust strength. Increasing the crust ESP from 3 to 7 and maintaining adequate moisture reduced the onion seedling emergence rate by 50%. Application of PAM plus PG to the soil surface doubled the emergence rate of onions in loess with an ESP of 3.0 but was not effective in loess with an ESP of 7.

Effect of Soil Sodicity on the Growth and Cation Composition of Palmarosa and Lemongrass

ABSTRACT The effects of soil sodicity on the growth, yield, and cation composition of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii Roxb. Wats) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus Steud Wats) were studied in a pot experiment. The plant height, number of tillers, and herb yield of both species significantly decreased as the exchangeable sodium in soil increased. A 50 percent reduction in herb yield over control was recorded at soil exchangeable sodium levels of 52 and 37 percent, respectively, for palmarosa and lemongrass. Increases in exchangeable sodium percentages of soil enhanced the concentration of sodium and decreased that of potassium, calcium and magnesium in vegetative tissues of both plants as compared with control. Palmarosa was lower in sodium and better able to maintain the potassium to sodium and calcium to sodium ratios in vegetative tissues under sodicity stress than lemongrass. Geranyl acetate content in the oil of palmarosa increased with increases in the soil exchangeable sodium percentage.

The effects of soil sodicity on emergence, growth, development and yield of oilseed rape (Brassica napus)

SUMMARYThe effects of exchangeable sodium on emergence, growth, development and yield composition of oilseed rape were investigated at Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1992. A pot experiment was performed using five exchangeable sodium levels, expressed as Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR: 12, 20, 27, 34 and 44). Soil with nine different exchangeable sodium contents (SAR from 0·5 to 50) and seven different particle size distributions (from sandy loam to clay) were used in a parallel trial to study the effect of soil crusting on oilseed rape emergence. Soil crusts were made using a rainfall simulator after seeds were sown. Both experiments showed that the direct effect of sodium on emergence occurred with SAR values higher than those which caused clay dispersion (SAR > 20). Oilseed rape seedlings could penetrate crusts having a resistance of < 230 kPa. At SAR values > 20, main stem growth and yield decreased significantly (P < 0·05). These reductions were counterbalanced by an increase in the number of secondary stems. At SAR levels > 34, stem number, grain number per pod on the main stem, as well as pod number on both main stem and secondary stems, were reduced, leading to a marked reduction in total yield. The most important agronomic effect of soil sodium on oilseed rape would be at emergence stage, due to soil crusting.

Effect of sodicity and zinc on soil solution chemistry of manganese under submerged conditions

SummaryIn a greenhouse experiment, the effect of soil sodicity (exchangeable Na percentage 3, 10, 20, 40 and 60) and Zn (0 and 10 mg Zn/kg soil) on soil solution chemistry of Mn was investigated under submerged conditions. Calculated amounts of NaHCO3 were added to Typic Ustifluvent sandy loam soil to obtain required sodicity levels. The soil solutions collected under the atmosphere of N2 gas by gravity were analysed for pH, pE, EC and Mn. Soil submergence decreased pH and pE, and increased Mn concentrations in all the treatments. Maximum Mn concentration was obtained at 14-day submergence. Increasing sodicity levels increased soil solution pH and decreased Mn concentrations. A significant negative correlation (r = -0·74**) was observed between soil solution Mn and pH. Despite large variations in pH, pE, ionic strength and Mn concentration in soil solution, the values of expressions: pH+½log Mn2+ + ½log Pco2 and pMn+2pOH were fairly constant and close to the theoretical values of 4·4 and 17·2 respectively, indicating that the MnCO3-Mn2+ system regulated the solubility of Mn2+ in the sodic soils. Addition of ZnSO4 did not have appreciable effects on the soil solution pH, Mn and solid phases of Mn.

Effect of soil sodicity on the growth, yield and chemical composition of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea Linn.)

A replicated field experiment was conducted to study the effect of exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) on the yield, chemical composition, protein and oil content and uptake of nutrients by groundnut (Arachis hypogaea Linn.) variety M-13. ESP over 15 delayed germination and emergence of flowers. There was continuous decrease in dry matter yield at 30 and 60 days of growth, grain and straw yield after harvest and protein, oil and kernel percent with increase in soil ESP. A 50 per cent reduction in groundnut yield was observed at an ESP of 20. Increasing soil ESP, increased Na and decreased K, Ca and N contents, but had no effect on the Mg, P, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu contents of the plant. Sodium content of the plant increased, while potassium and nitrogen decreased with age of the plant. The uptake of all the nutrients decreased with increase in soil ESP. The results showed that groundnut is a relatively sensitive crop to soil sodicity.

Effect of Exchangeable Sodium and Phosphogypsum on Crust Structure—Scanning Electron Microscope Observations

AbstractThe effect of soil sodicity and phosphogypsum treatment on the structure of the crust of two soils (sandy loam and clay soil) was studied using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The crust of the sandy loam with ESP 1.0, and the two soils at all levels of sodicity when treated with phosphogypsum, consisted of a compacted skin seal attributed to the mechanical impact of raindrops. Little clay movement or development of a “washed in” layer was observed under these conditions. Conversely, when the ESP > 1.6 (in the two soils) the crust consisted of naked sand and silt grains over a dense “washed in” layer. The compacted layer of disintegrated aggregates is not stable when soil and water conditions are favorable for clay dispersion (sodic soils and low electrolyte soil solutions). In soils with no exchangeable sodium, aggregate breakdown and surface compaction by raindrops are the dominant mechanisms for crust formation. In soils with ESP values above 1.5, chemical dispersion of the soil clays (enhanced by the sodicity of the soil, the low electrolyte concentration in the rain, and the stirring effect of the raindrops) and the downward movement of the clays into the “washed in” layer clogging the pores in this layer were the dominant mechanisms in crust formation. Soils with a “washed in” layer had a very low infiltration rate.