Impact of Calcium Source on Modification of Properties of Saline-Sodic Soils

doi:10.21608/ejss.2014.119

Impact of Calcium Source on Modification of Properties of Saline-Sodic Soils

Document Type : Original Article

10.21608/ejss.2014.119

Abstract

A SOIL column (30-cm long and 16-cm inside diameter) experiment was conducted to study the effect of calcium source on reclaiming a saline sodic clay loam soil collected fromSahl El-Tina, northern Sinai, Egypt. The calcium sources were agricultural gypsum "AG", phosphogypsum "PG" and calcium chloride "CC". Amendments were thoroughly mixed with soil. Leaching was done using the intermittent method so as to add portions to the already saturated soil columns. Six leachates of equal volumes were collected. At the end of experiment EC, pH, SAR, ESP and bulk density of soil decreased compared with the initial values which were 24.9 dSm^-1, 8.78, 26.3, 40.25 and 1.42 Mgm^-3, respectively. Respective values at termination of experiment were for CC: 2.72 dSm^-1, 8.12, 3.40, 3.79 and1.23 Mgm^-3; for PG: 3.37 dSm^-1, 7.88, 4.78, 5.85 and 1.27 Mgm^-3, for AG: 3.60 dSm^-1, 8.02, 4.94, 6.08 and 1.32 Mgm^-3, for control: 5.41 dSm^-1, 8.20, 6.05, 7.75 and 1.33 Mgm^-3. All amendments were greater efficiencies as compared with control treatment. With only a few of exceptions the order of efficiency of amendments was CC > PG > AG. This reflects the high solubility of CC rendering it the most readily available source of soluble Ca²⁺. Concerning PG and AG, results show that PG was of a relatively greater effect on reducing EC, pH, SAR, ESP and bulk density. This indicates high Ca²⁺ release from PG due to its more acidity. The study suggests that leaching using Ca⁺² sources amendments improves physicochemical properties of saline-sodic soils especially CC followed by PG and AG.

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