Role of gypsum and compost in reclaiming saline-sodic soils

Abstract

A leaching experiment using columns technique was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of gypsum, water hyacinth compost "WHC", rice straw compost "RSC" and their different combinations on reclamation of clay saline-sodic soils. Soils were collected from Sahl El-Hossinia, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. The results of the study indicated that all the used amendments either, singly or in combination showed a pronounced decreased in EC, pH, SAR, and ESP compared with control. The results showed that combined treatments more efficient than single one. Increase the rate of gypsum used leads to an increase in decrease salinity as well as sodicity. Concerning WHC and RSC, Results showed that, RSC showed a relatively greater effect on reducing EC, pH, SAR and ESP compared with WHC. The studied treatments could be arranged in the following order, 100% GR + 20 Mgfed-1 RSC > 100% GR + 20 Mgfed-1 WHC > 50% GR + 10 Mgfed-1 RSC > 50% GR + 10 Mgfed-1 WHC > 100% GR > RSC > WHC > control. This study suggests that application of gypsum combined with WHC or RSC enhanced reclamation and caused more decreases in salinity as well as sodicity.