Origin, management and reclamation technologies of salt-affected and flooded soils in the Inland Pampas of Argentina

Abstract

The halo-hydromorphic soils in the Inland Pampas, located in subhumid and semiarid environments of central Argentina, are governed by the depth and salinity of water table, salt content and sodium in the profile, and the excess of water. Its aptitude of use is ruled by the A horizon thickness, cemented horizons (hardpans or fragipans) and occurrence/absence of plant cover. The occurrence of strong natric horizons interacts with heavy rainfall or underground water rise and causes floods or waterlogging. In recent years, there has been a generalized rise of underground water, causing waterlogging and salinity problems, even in non-saline cropped soils. Tested soil management and reclamation techniques of those halo-hydromorphic soils are summarily analyzed. The technologies were grouped according to their effects on soils, vegetation, and surface and underground water. They include chemical and biological treatments, grazing management, fertilization, measures to control the salt rising from phreatic water, runoff control, tree "biodrainage" and others. The environmental and economic success and perdurability of such technologies could be relatively guaranteed only by a site-specific approach, on account of the high spatial and temporal variability of those environments.