Physico-chemical properties of soil as influenced by organic and inorganic amendments

Use of organic and inorganic soil amendments may affect some of the physical and chemical characteristics of soil. The present study was conducted during rabi season of the years 2001–02 and 2002–03 taking wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as a test crop to evaluate the effect of two chemical amendments (gypsum and pyrite) along with organic material on physico-chemical properties of soil. Four levels of farmyard manure (FYM) as main plot treatments and three levels each of gypsum and pyrite, as sub plot treatments were surface mixed and irrigated with high residual sodium carbonate water. Gypsum proved better in imprqving the soil properties than pyrite. The application of manure enhanced the reclamation process. The application of these amendments significantly increased the saturated hydraulic conductivity and decreased the electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) as compared to control plots. The plots treated with FYM and gypsum brought substantial reduction in ESP than those treated with FYM and pyrite.