Chemical changes in a saline-sodic soil after gypsum application and cropping

Reclamation is needed on three million ha of slowly permeable saline-sodic soils in the Indus Plain of Pakistan. Previous studies measured an increased field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) in the soil under study with cropping and gypsum application. This field experiment was conducted on a low permeability, saline-sodic soil (a fine-loamy, mixed thermic Typic Natrustalf) to compare the leaching of sodium and soluble salts and changes in chemical properties after various treatments. Treatments were: (i) perennial alfalfa (Madicago sativa L.), (ii) a rotation of sesbania [Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.)W.F. Wright]-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-sesbania, (iii) incorporated wheat straw at 7.5 Mg ha−1 and (iv) a fallow control. These four treatments were each combined with and without 25 Mg ha−1 of gypsum and open-ditch drainage. Electrical conductivity (EC), pH, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl− of the soil in the saturated paste extract under each treatment were measured in each 20 cm increment to 120 cm after 6 month and 1 yr. Gypsum application increased the soluble Na+ in the top 20 cm soil. Poor internal drainage of the soil caused the exchanged Na+ to remain in the soil solution. However, one year after the treatments, the crop rotation with gypsum significantly decreased SAR, EC, pH and Cl− in the top 20 cm of soil. Alfalfa decreased these same parameters when compared to fallow in the top 80 cm of soil in gypsum-treated plots. The open-ditch drainage was not helpful in reclamation of this soil. In general, for surface soil improvement, a combination of added gypsum plus crop rotation was the best. For improvement of the deeper soil profile, gypsum plus alfalfa was the most effective of the treatments used.