Identification of Some Factors for Use of Sodic Waters with High Residual Sodium Carbonate

Four typical sodic waters (EC×10⁶=1560–3240; SAR=15.0–31.7; adjusted SAR=30.0–63.4; RSC 4.5–13.8 m.e. 1⁻¹), which were reportedly in use for more than 7 years, were selected. Their effect on soil properties up to 45 cm soil depth was determined and related with farmers' experience in relation to crop growth. The study indicates that such waters can also be economically used under the following conditions: (i) these are used on loamy sand to sandy loam, well drained soils with deep water table, (ii) these are used for irrigation during winter only and semi-salt-tolerant crops like wheat and barley are grown, (iii) the fields are kept fallow during kharif (summer) and annual rainfall is more than 40 cm in the region, and (iv) FYM @ 20–25 t/ha or more is applied every year.