How do you manage sodic soil?
Managing dispersive (sodic) soils
- Avoid disturbing already productive sodic soils.
- Apply lime or gypsum.
- Increase organic matter.
- Use deep-ripping.
- Use raised beds or deepened seedbeds.
- Use alternative plant and land-use options.
What are the management practices for saline soil?
How To Reduce Soil Salinity?
- Increase drainage for better flushing (to remove salts from the ground surface).
- Plant salt-tolerant crops to manage economic risks and to ensure land cover.
- Remove salt crystals from the surface mechanically.
- Restore the balance via chemical amendments (e.g., gypsum or sulfuric acid).
What are the characteristics of sodic soils?
Indicators of sodicity
- poor vegetation or crop growth.
- poor water infiltration.
- surface crusting.
- dense or hard subsoil.
- prismatic or columnar structure in the subsoil.
- soapy feel when wetting and working up for soil textures.
- pH > 8.5.
- cloudy water in puddles.
What is a sodic soil?
For the purpose of definition, sodic soils are those which have an exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) of more than 15. Excess exchangeable sodium has an adverse effect on the physical and nutritional properties of the soil, with consequent reduction in crop growth, significantly or entirely.
What is the difference between saline and sodic soils?
Saline soils have excessive amounts of soluble salt, while sodic soils have high amounts of exchangeable sodium in the soil itself.
What causes sodic soil?
Sodicity is caused by the presence of sodium attached to clay in soil. A soil is considered sodic when the sodium reaches a concentration where it starts to affect soil structure. The sodium weakens the bonds between soil particles when wetted resulting in the clay swelling and often becoming detached.
What is the difference between saline and sodic soil?
How sodic soil is different from acidic soil?
If the extensive leaching of a saline-sodic soil occurs in the absence of any source of calcium or magnesium, part of the exchangeable sodium is gradually replaced by hydrogen. The resulting soil may be slightly acid with unstable structure. Such a soil is called degraded alkali or sodic soil.
What crops grow well in sodic soil?
In the absence of good soil drainage in place combined with a high groundwater levels, late-maturing, deep- rooted and salt tolerant crops, like alfalfa, sugarbeet and sunflower can also be excellent choices which withstand moderate salt levels and take water from deeper depths (Franzen, 2007).
What causes sodic soils?
What do you think are the consequences of using sodic soils for crop production?
Sodic soils can cause specific ion toxicity in sensitive crops such as potatoes, beans and woody plants such as vines and stone fruits. High sodium levels compete with calcium, magnesium, and potassium for uptake by plant roots.