Department of Agricultural Chemistry, R.B.S. College, Bichpuri, Agra, 283105, Uttar Pradesh
*Present address: College of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur 176062, Himachal Pradesh
Effect of three levels of gypsum (5, 10 and 20 t/ha corresponding to 25, 50 and 100% of gypsum requirement) with and without farmyard manure (FYM) and sandust on soil properties and crop yield in a highly saline-sodic soil (alluvial origin) of semi-arid tract was studied in a field experiment. Gypsum application followed by leaching markedly reduced the soluble salt content, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), pH and water-soluble boron and increased the hydraulic conductivity of soil. Increasing dose of gypsum (from 5 to 20 t/ha) brought about progressive improvement in hydraulic conductivity and decrease in ESP, pH and boron content. Addition of gypsum either with FYM or sawdust was not of much advantage over gypsum alone. Gypsum @ 20 t/ha (100% GR) and leaching during two successive monsoon seasons with the raising of two crops (barley and rice) although reduced salt content and boron to nearly normal level up to 92 cm depth, pH, ESP and hydraulic conductivity were affected in the top 23 cm layer only.
Saline-sodic soils, reclamation gypsum treatment
