Degraded Land Hybridization with Tank Silt: Impact on Soil Quality and Productivity of Soybean

The study was taken on very shallow skeletal soil underlined by saprolite in basaltic area and applied tank silt @ 0, 500, 1000, 1500, 3000, 4500 and 6000 cu m/ha (approximately 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm thick layer). These soils are characterized as very shallow in depth, sandy clay loam in texture and has low cation exchange capacity (<20 cmol(p+)/kg). The applied tank silt was alkaline in nature, had high clay content (>60%), high cation exchange capacity (>65cmol (p+)/kg) and was highly calcareous in nature (>16%). The study indicated wide variability in morphological, physical, and chemical properties of soil after three years of application and had positive impact on yield of soybean. The colour of surface layer (Ap horizons) of this hybridized soil varied from 10 YR 3/2 to 10 YR 4/2, modified to clayey in texture from sandy clay loam and sub-angular blocky to angular blocky in structure. The clay content, moisture content and CEC increased while hydraulic conductivity decreased with increase in level of tank silt application. The yield of soybean increased up to 15 cm depth of tank silt application and later decreased. The maximum yield of soybean was recorded with 1500 cu m/ha of application (31.4 q/ha) corresponding to 15 cm depth, which was three-fold higher over no application (9.6 q//ha).