Premium
Response of Sodic Soils to Gypsum and Calcium Chloride Application
Author(s) -
Shainberg I.,
Keren R.,
Frenkel H.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1982.03615995004600010021x
Subject(s) - gypsum , sodic soil , soil water , hydraulic conductivity , electrolyte , cation exchange capacity , soil science , dispersion (optics) , calcareous , environmental science , chemistry , geology , paleontology , physics , electrode , optics
Gypsum added to a sodic soil can initiate changes due to both electrolyte concentration and cation exchange effects. The relative significance of the electrolyte effect was estimated by comparing the effects of gypsum and calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ), in equivalent amounts, on the hydraulic conductivity of three soils from Israel. Whereas the exchange reclamation was similar with both amendments, there was a long‐term electrolyte effect in the gypsum treatment. The long‐term electrolyte effect of gypsum was very important for a chemically stable soil which did not release salt into the soil solution, and high hydraulic conductivity was maintained. For a corresponding CaCl 2 treatment, complete sealing of the soil took place. Conversely, the efficiency of the two amendments was similar for a calcareous soil. This soil, even without gypsum, released enough electrolytes into the soil solution to prevent clay dispersion and hydraulic conductivity losses. The ability of gypsum to maintain a moderate concentration of electrolytes in the soil solution is very important in preventing crust formation or soil sealing under rainfall conditions.