Problematic Soils and Management

Soil management is a key to sustainable agricultural practices. In majority of cases, there is no

Problematic Soils
Soils which have severe limit to cultivation and which require specific management practices
are called problematic soils. These constraints may be chemical in the form of low pH, presence
of high concentration of total salts, inadequate fertility and presence of high sodium contents.
Such soils are formed due to different types of land degradation. Without reclamation, such
soils are not fit for agricultural practices. FAO has identified following category of problems
which include:
1. Highly Organic Soils
Soils rich in organic matter (> 8%) and undecomposed plant material are called histosols. Such
soil occur particularly in areas where the rate of decomposition of organic matter has been
reduced due to low temperature (in Boreal climates) or where the degradation is hampered by
prolonged wet conditions (in the Wet Tropics).
2. Heavy Cracking Clays
These soils mainly belong to vertisols soils and found mainly in sub-tropical areas with a
marked dry season. These soils contain high clay content. When moisture content decreases
then compaction increases and then cracks appear in such soil.
3. Gypsiferous Soils
Soils which contain more than 25 % of gypsum are called gypsiferous soils. These soils reduce
plant growth. The soil material does not stick together and becomes completely unstable in
water.
4. Calcareous Soils
These soils contain more than 15 % CaCO3 which may occur in different forms (powdery,
crusts, etc.). Soils with high CaCO3 belong to the calcisols. They are relatively widespread in
the drier areas of the earth. Calcium carbonate act as disturbing agent for soil texture.
 5. Acidic Soils
Soils with a pH value of less than 5.5 are called acidic soils. They exert a number of toxicities
(aluminium) as well as deficiencies (molybdenum) and other plant growth restricting
conditions.
6. Sandy Soils
Soils having more than 53% sand content in it and consequently retain few nutrients and have
a low water holding capacities are called sandy soils.
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is a measure of the total negative charges within the soil
that adsorb plant nutrient cations such as calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+) and potassium
(K+). CEC is a property of a soil that describes its capacity to supply nutrient cations to the soil
for plant uptake.
7. Salt-Affected Soils
When salts more soluble than calcium carbonate and gypsum are present in the soil (mixture
of salts present) and affect crop growth and yield of most crops, these soils are considered as
salt affected. Majority of such soils have an electrical conductivity of more than 4 Ω/cm.
Electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the ability of soil to conduct electrical current
that is expressed in milli Siemens or deci Siemens per meter.
8. Basic soils
Soils having pH more than 8 are called basic soils. Mostly present in Asian region. In basic
soils zinc deficiency occur e.g. Rice belt of Pakistan.
Cultural methods for reclamation
Flushing
It is a method in which high pressure water is used to flush out the salts in upper surface of salt
affected soil.
Scraping
Scraping is a technique for working the soil used in agriculture, gardening and ecological
management of natural environments. This operation consists of scraping the soil to reopen the
vegetation, break down the hard surface layer by mechanical means.
Mixing
It is the method in which soil is mix with other soil to increase the fertility and soil texture. For
example clay is mixed with sand particles to reduce its compact nature. Clay + sand
Subsoiling
It is the method in which top layer is converted to lower layer and lower layer is converted to
top / upper layer surface.
Leaching
Leaching is the process of a solute becoming detached or extracted from its carrier substance
to lower horizon so that it no longer affect the roots of plants.
Biological methods for reclamation
Methods for the reclamation of problematic soils involve the application of various biological
agents and techniques to improve soil quality and restore its fertility. These methods harness
the power of microorganisms, plants, and their interactions to remediate contaminated or
degraded soils. Here are some biological approaches commonly used in soil reclamation:
1) Bioremediation
Bioremediation employs microorganisms to degrade or transform contaminants in the soil into
less toxic forms. This technique can be used to address issues such as soil pollution due to
heavy metals, organic pollutants, or petroleum products. Microbes with specific metabolic
capabilities are introduced into the soil to break down the contaminants into harmless
substances.
2) Phytoremediation
Phytoremediation involves using plants to extract, detoxify, or stabilize pollutants in the soil.
Different plant species have varying abilities to tolerate and accumulate specific contaminants.
For example, some plants are effective in absorbing heavy metals, while others can degrade
organic pollutants. Phytoremediation can be enhanced by selecting suitable plant species and
optimizing their growth conditions.
3) Biochar application
Biochar is a form of charcoal produced by the pyrolysis of organic materials, such as
agricultural residues or woody biomass. Adding biochar to problematic soils can improve their
physical, chemical, and biological properties. Biochar enhances water retention, nutrient
availability, and microbial activity in the soil, leading to improved soil fertility and reduced
soil degradation.
4) Microbial-mediated nutrient cycling
Certain soil microorganisms play a crucial role in nutrient cycling by decomposing organic
matter and releasing nutrients in forms that are readily available to plants. Harnessing these
microbial processes through organic amendments or inoculants can improve nutrient
availability and soil fertility. For example, the addition of compost or microbial inoculants can
enhance soil organic matter content and promote nutrient cycling.
5) Mycorrhizal associations
Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, facilitating the exchange of
nutrients between the fungus and the plant. These associations can improve nutrient uptake,
enhance plant tolerance to environmental stresses, and contribute to soil aggregation.
Inoculating soils with mycorrhizal fungi can promote plant establishment and growth in
degraded or contaminated soils.
6) Tolerant crop varieties
The cultivation of tolerant crop varieties is indeed a viable approach to remediate problematic
soils. Certain crops have evolved or been developed to survive in conditions that are typically
challenging for most plants, such as soils with high salinity, low fertility, or heavy metal
contamination. By growing these tolerant crop varieties, farmers can improve soil conditions
and potentially restore the productivity of degraded lands.
Salt-tolerant crops: Some plants, such as certain varieties of barley and rice have natural
mechanisms to tolerate high soil salinity. These crops can be grown in salt affected areas.
By Planting species with fibrous roots, such as Mod Grass, can be an effective strategy to
prevent soil erosion. Fibrous roots create a dense network of fine roots that bind the soil
particles together, enhancing soil stability and reducing the risk of erosion.