Characterisation and management of

salt affected soils of Tamilnadu

 SALT AFFECTED SOILS

When salts more soluble than calcium carbonate and

gypsum are present in the soil and affect crop growth and yield of
most crops these soils are considered salt affected.

•In 1954, the US Salinity Laboratory grouped salt affected soils in to

Saline soil
Alkali soil
Saline –Alkali

•Due to the effect of two common kind of salts (neutral and alkali
salts) it is grouped in to
saline and alkali soil
 Salt Affected Soils
– Occur when rainfall is not sufficient for
adequate leaching of salts
– Common in arid regions
– Can ruin soils for agriculture

Common salt ions

• Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, Cl-, SO42-,HCO3-,CO3 2-
 Salt affected soil - Classification

Classification EC pH ESP
(dSm-1)
Saline soil >4 <8.5 <15
Alkali soil <4 >8.5 >15

•Saline soil / Solonchak

•Alkali soil/ sodic/ Solontez
 Salt affected soils in India

The salt-affected soils account for 6.727 Mha

equivalent to 2.1 % of the geographical area of the
country.

Out of the total 6.727 million ha of salt-affected soils,

2.956 million ha are saline
3.771 million ha are sodic.
 SALINE SOIL - Characterization

a) Chemical Characteristics
i) EC of the saturation soil extract is more than 4 dSm-1
ii) pH of the soil is less than 8.5 (< 8.5)
iii) ESP is less than 15 (<15)

b) Physical Characteristics
i) Soil Structure- Usually good
ii) Infiltration rate- High
iii) Soil Aeration- Good
iv) Colour- Usually white
 SALINE SOIL- “White Alkali” soils

Concentration of neutral salts(Cl-, SO42-) is higher than alkali

salts(HCO3-,CO3 2-)

Characterised by saline efflorescence, white encrustation of

salts at the surface.

 Salts raise the osmotic potential of the soil solution reduces

available soil water

 Plants have to use more energy to get the water they need
 Saline soil - Formation

The process by which the saline soil formed is called

Salinization.

Saline soils occur mostly in arid or semi arid regions.

In arid regions - due to less rainfall and high evaporation rate
which tend further to concentrate the salts in soils and in surface
waters.
 Effects of saline soil on plants

 Stunted growth
 Wilting
 Bluish-green color
 Necrosis of leaf tips
 Drought stress symptoms
 Specific toxicities eg. Boron
 Plant species vary in salt tolerance
 Salt injury -High salt levels when high rates of fertilizer or
manure applied
 Alkali Soil - Characterization
a) Chemical Characteristics
i) EC of the saturation soil extract is less than 4 dSm-1
ii) pH of the soil is more than 8.5
iii) ESP is higher than 15
b) Physical Characteristics
i) Soil Structure - very poor (soil is in highly dispersed condition)
ii) Infiltration rate - very poor
iii) Soil Aeration - very poor
iv) Colour- Usually black
 Alkali Soil - “Black Alkali” soils

•Concentration of alkali salts(HCO3-,CO3 2-) is higher than neutral

salts(Cl-, SO42-).

•Main problem is the effect of sodium on flocculation and

aggregation of soil particles

•Sodium causes the soil particles to disperse

No aggregation of soil particles
Individual clay particles clog soil pores
Poor soil physical properties
Alkali soil -Formation
Effect of Alkali soil on plants

Specific toxicity to Na
sensitive plants

Nutrient deficiencies or
imbalances

High pH
Management of Salt affected soil

Physical
measures

Chemical
measures

Soil management
measures
 Physical measures
1. Leaching :

When soil elements after dissolving with water go

down from upper parts to the lower level, it is called
leaching.

In this method, saline elements of the soil are

transferred to lower levels after dissolving with water.

This water, along with the supply of water to crops,

takes away salts after dissolving them. That is why more
water is required in this method.
Scratching:
•Many times the salts are collected in a large quantity and it looks
like a heap.
•Then it has to be scratched out from the field to reduce salinity
of the soil.
•This method not practicable on a large scale.

Drainage:
•With drainage of additional water, concentration of salts does not
take place.
•Drains may be constructed in the field so that excess water keeps
on discharging.
 Chemical Measures

•Reclamation of alkali / sodic soils requires neutralization of

alkalinity and replacement of most of the sodium ions from
the soil – exchange complex by the more favourable calcium
ions.

1. Solvent Calcium Salt : Gypsum and Phospho Gypsum

2. Little Soluble Calcium Salt : Lime Stone
3. Acid and Acid Producing : Sulphur, Acid of Sulphur, Pyrites

Gypsum is the most commonly used chemical amendment.

 Soil management measures
Preparation of the Field
•Fields should be kept leveled .
•Water distribution during irrigation is balanced in leveled field
which prevents concentration of salts.

Preparation of Basin and Sowing

•Sowing of crop should be done on the slope by following furrow
and basin method.
•In basin irrigation, the salt collects near the basin, the adverse
effect of which is visible on plants.
•Special attention should be given to irrigation.

Reduction in Evaporation

Growing of Crops Bearing Salts and Alkali condition

 Reference

•R. K. Gupta, I. P. Abrol, Salt-Affected Soils: Their

Reclamation and Management for Crop Production, Advances
in Soil Science vol. 11 pp. 223-288.

•http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5871e/x5871e03.htm