Question

Saline soils can be improved by -
1. Leaching
2. Pyrite Application
3. Gypsum Application
4. Lime Application

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Leaching

The correct answer is Leaching.

• Saline soils have pH 7.5 - 8.5.
• Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) < 15%
• When salts accumulate in soils, problems arise for two main reasons: the soil becomes less permeable, and the salt damages or kills the plants.
• Leaching can be used to reduce the salts in soils.
• Add enough low-salt water to the soil surface to dissolve the salts and move them below the root zone.
• The water must be relatively free of salts (1,500 – 2,000 ppm total salts), particularly sodium salts.
• A water test can determine the level of salts in water.
• Leaching works well on saline soils that have good structure and internal drainage.