Organic Framing

Sodic Soil (Black Alkali/Non-Saline Alkali)

• High exchangeable sodium percentage interferes with plant growth.

Characteristics

1. EC < 4.0 dS/m at 25°C b) ESP > 15%.
2. pH > 8.5 (8.5-10.0) d) Low infiltration rate.
3. Occurrence: Indo-Gangetic plains of UP, Punjab and Haryana.

Reclamation

1. Replace exchangeable Na+ by Ca++ and thus released Na+ salt be leached out of rootzone.

Amendments

1. Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O).
2. Phosphogypsum.
3. Iron pyrite (FeS2).
4. Calcium salts, acids, acid formation materials.
5. Bulky organic manures, green manures, crop residues. These are applied in conjunction with gymsum.
6. Leaching with water of good quality.

Management practices

1. Cropping with green manure.
2. Apply high dose of N (because of volatilisation, N loss).
3. Apply zinc during initial years of reclamation.
4. Frequent irrigation with small quantities of water.