Management of Problematic Soils

By :-
SIMTA SHARMA
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
PCTE GROUP OF INSTITUTES, 
BADDOWAL, LUDHIANA (PUNJAB, INDIA)
 INTRODUCTION
 Problem soils are an important ecological entity for arid, semi-
arid or humid climate of our country.

 In India, salt affected soil occupy nearly 6.73 Mha and is the
present serious threat to our ability to produce enough food
grains for expanding needs.

 The other main problem is acid and acid sulphate soils, spread
in one-third of cultivated land.

 Problem soils are either deficient in plant nutrients or the

nutrient availability is inhibited by the antagonistic effect of the
nutrients element present in excessive amounts as soluble or
exchangeable ions.
What are problematic soils?
The soils which possess characteristics that make
them uneconomical for the cultivation of crops without
adopting proper reclamation measures are known as
problematic soils.
Major Types of problematic soil
(Chemical)

Salt affected
Acidic soils soils

Alkaline Saline-
Saline
Soils Alkaline
Soils
Soils
 ACID SOILS
Soil acidity may be defined as the soil system’s proton
donating capacity during its transition state to a
reference state.

Classification
 Ultra acidic : 3.3
 Extremely acidic : 3.5-4.5
 Very strong acidic : 4.6-5.0
 Strong acidic : 5.1-5.5
 Moderately acidic : 5.6-6.0
 Slightly acidic : 6.1-6.5
Table No. 1 State Wise Distribution of Acid Soils in India
(Area in Mha)

States pH (< 4.5) pH (4.5- pH (5.5- Total TGA % to

5.5 ) 6.5 ) TGA
Arunachal 4.78 1.72 0.26 6.78 8.37 81.1
Pradesh
Assam 0.02 2.33 2.33 4.68 7.84 59.8
Nagaland 0.11 1.48 0.05 1.65 1.65 100.0
Chhattisgarh 0.15 5.93 4.34 10.47 13.48 77.7
Goa 0.003 0.11 0.2 0.31 0.37 83.3
Manipur 0.42 1.43 0.32 2.18 2.23 98.1
Tripura 0.05 0.74 0.23 1.03 1.04 99.5
Jharkhand -- 0.1 5.77 6.77 7.97 84.9
Kerala 0.13 2.78 0.75 03.68 3.88 94.7
Andhra -- -- 2.8 2.8 27.5 10.3
Pradesh
Meghalaya -- 1.2 1.05 2.24 2.24 99.9
Mizoram -- 1.2 0.7 2.0 2.1 97.0
 States pH (< 4.5) pH (4.5- pH (5.5-6.5 ) Total TGA % to
5.5 ) TGA
Karnataka -- 0.06 3.25 3.31 19.18
H.P -- 0.15 1.62 1.78 5.56 31.9
Maharashtra -- 0.2 4.3 4.5 30.8 14.9
J&K -- 0.09 1.5 1.57 22.22 1.7
Sikkim 0.3 0.32 0.002 0.61 0.71 85.3
Bihar -- 0.04 2.32 2.36 9.41 25.1
W.B -- 0.56 4.2 4.75 8.87 53.6
M.P -- 1.12 10.6 11.7 30.9 38.0
Uttrakhand -- 1.2 2.3 3.4 5.3 65.3
odisha -- 0.2 8.4 8.6 15.5 55.7
U.P -- -- 0.3 0.3 24.1 1.4
Others -- -- -- -- 64.3 0.0
Total 6.2 24.4 62.1 92.7 328.7

Source: NBSS & LUP, 2012

 FORMS OF ACIDITY
 Active acidity: It is defined as the acidity develops
due to H+ and Al3+ ion concentration of the soil
solution.

 Exchange acidity: It is defined as the acidity

develops due to adsorbed H+ and Al3+ ion on the soil
colloid.

Residual acidity: It is that acidity which remains in

the soil after active and exchange acidity has been
neutralized.
 CHARACTERISTICS
 Generally characterised by low pH i.e. less than
6.5.
 Low organic matter content.
 Low in available P and have high P fixing
capacity.
 Contains excessive amounts of dissolved ions of
Al, Fe and Mn.
 Low in Ca, Mg with negligible amount of
soluble salts.
 These soils appear as brown or reddish brown.
 REASONS FOR ACIDITY
Parent material Organic Matter

Acid forming fertilizers Rainfall

Application of elemental
Sulphur Carbon dioxide
PROBLEM OF ACID SOILS
Toxicity of elements (Al, Mn, Fe)

Deficiency of bases (Ca2+, Mg2+)

Imbalance of P and Mo

Poor microbial activity

 SALT AFFECTED SOILS
A. Saline Soil
Soils are said to be saline if they contain excess of
soluble salts like chlorides, sulphates of sodium,
calcium and magnesium.
 CHARACTERISTICS
 pH less than 8.5.
 Organic matter content is slightly less than normal
soils.
 EC greater than 4 dSm-1.
 ESP less than 15.
 SAR less than 13.
 Remains in a flocculated state and hence fairly
permeable.
 Total soluble salt content is more than 0.1 %.
B. Alkaline soil
Soils with high levels of exchangeable sodium (Na)
and low levels of total salts are called Alkaline soil.
 CHARACTERISTICS
 pH ranges from 8.5-10.
 Organic matter is very low
 EC is less than 4 dSm-1.
 ESP more than 15.
 Total soluble salts is less than 0.1 %.
 SAR is more than 13.
 Remain in deflocculated condition due to which
permeability to water and air is poor.
C. Saline-Alkaline Soil
Soils are said to be saline-alkaline if they contain an
appreciable amount both soluble salts and sodium.

CHARACTERISTICS
 pH is more than 8.5
 EC is less than 4 dSm-1.
 ESP is more than 15.
 SAR is more than 13.
 Total soluble salt is more than 0.1%.
 Usually form white crust on upper layer of soil.
Table 2. Extent and Distribution of Salt Affected Soils in India
States Saline Soil Alkaline Soils coastal Total
(mha) (mha) Saline Soil (mha)
(mha)
Andhra -- 0.19 0.07 0.27
Pradesh
A & N islands -- -- 0.07 0.07

Bihar 0.04 0.11 -- 0.15

Gujarat 1.21 0.54 0.46 22.2

Haryana 0.05 0.18 -- 0.23

J&K -- 0.02 -- 0.02

Karnataka -- 0.15 -- 0.15

Kerala -- -- 0.02 0.02

Maharashtra 0.2 0.4 0.007 0.61

 Conti.
States Saline Soil Alkaline Soils coastal Saline Total
(mha) (mha) Soil (mha) (mha)

Madhya -- 0.13 -- 0.13

Pradesh
Odisha -- -- 0.14 0.14

Punjab -- 0.15 -- 0.15

Rajasthan 0.2 0.2 -- 0.4

Tamil Nadu -- 0.34 -- 0.34

Uttar Pradesh 0.02 1.3 0.01 1.36

West Bengal -- -- 0.44 0.44

Total 1.7 3.7 1.2 6.7

Source: CSSRI, 2010

SOURCES OF SOLUBLE SALTS

Arid and Semi-arid climate

Overflow of sea water

Salts blown by wind

Saline nature of parent rock

Excessive use of basic fertilizers

Ground water
PROBLEM OF SALT AFFECTED SOILS

Absorption of water and nutrients decreases.

Salt toxicity

Specific ion effect

Dispersion of soil particles

What’s the way
out?
A. Acid Soils
One of the most important and practically feasible
management for acid soil is the use of lime and liming
material.

 Different liming material to reclaim acid soil are:

• Carbonates CaCO3
• Oxide CaO
• Hydroxide Ca(OH)2
• Silicates of calcium CaSiO3
 LIME REACTIONS
When lime is added to moist soil, the solution becomes
charged with calcium ion. These active Ca-ions
exchange take place with hydrogen ion in the
exchange complex. Hydrogen combines with OH-ion
to form neutral water, which is readily changed to H 2O
and CO2.
 BENEFITS OF LIME
 Liming eliminates toxic Al3+ and H+ ions through the
reaction with OH-
 Excess OH- from lime will raise the soil pH, Which
is the most recognizable effect of liming.
 Another benefit of liming is the added supply of
Ca2+ as well as Mg2+ ions.
ROOT

Before limimg After liming

B. Reclamation of SaltAffected Soils

[Link] Methods
 Scraping:- It is the
temporary method of soil
reclamation in which salt
layer on soil surface is
scrapped off by mechanical
means and lower layer is
with less salt content is
used for cultivation.
 Flushing:- It is the removal
of salt by surface washing
with runoff water which is
collected at the sloppy end
of the field.
 Leaching:- It is most
often accomplished by
ponding fresh water on the
soil surface and allowing it
to infiltrate. Stagnant
water dissolves the salts in
the field and later this
water can be drained out
from the field.
 Deep tillage:- Deep
tillage would mix the salts
present in the surface zone
into a much larger volume
of soil and hence reduce
its concentration and
impact.
2. Agronomical Methods
 Sowing of seeds in the
furrow:-Water generally
evaporates from highest
surface and hence, these
points have maximum
salt concentrations. If the
seeds are sown inside the
furrows, they escape the
zone of maximum salt
concentrations.
 Growing of salt tolerant crops:-
High salt tolerant crops: Para grass, barley, sugar beet etc.
Moderately salt tolerant crops: Wheat, rice, sorghum,
maize etc.
Low salt tolerant crops: Beans, radish, white clover etc.
Sensitive crops: Tomato, potato, onion, carrot etc.

 Mulching:-Mulching with crop residue, such as straw,

reduces evaporation from the soil surface which in turn
reduces the upward movement of salts.
 Providing proper drainage:
If the soil is not free draining
then artificial drains should be
opened or tile drains laid
underground to help wash out the
salts.

 Method of water application:

Drip and sprinkler methods of
irrigation are very useful for
saline soils as they add water
directly in to root zone at
controlled rates and even saline
waters can be used under these
methods without any detrimental
effects on crop growth.
3. Chemical Methods
 Application of gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O): When gypsum
is applied to ameliorate salt affected, loss of
exchangeable sodium occurs and calcium will take the
place of sodium on exchange complex. Gypsum reacts
with both Na2CO3 and the adsorbed sodium.
 Use of Sulphur: When Sulphur is spread on the soil, it is
oxidized to sulphuric acid, which converts sodium
carbonate into sodium sulphate.
 Use of Pyrite (FeS2): When Pyrite is applied to sodic
soils, in the presence of moisture and air, pyrite is
converted into sulphuric acid which then replaces
exchangeable sodium by hydrogen or calcium released
from insoluble calcium present in the soil.
4. Biological Methods
 Use of molasses and press-mud: The
molasses applied in the soil, is
fermented by soil microbes and as a
result of fermentation organic acids are
produced which lower the alkalinity.
 The press-mud contains calcium which
forms calcium salts that reduce the
content of exchangeable sodium.

 Green-manuring:- Application of
green manure can help to enhance OM
Content, increases partial pressure of
CO2 lower pH, enhance solubility of
native CaCO3 and add considerable
amount of plant nutrients in the soil.
OTHER SOIL PROBLEMS
(PHYSICAL)
 Fluffy Paddy Soil
 They are characterized by low bulk density of the
top soil resulting in the sinking of farm animals and
laborers as well as poor anchorage to paddy
seedlings.
 Such soils can be reclaimed by passing of 400 kg
stone roller.
 Surface Crusted Soils
 These soils are weakly aggregated, soil structure are easily
broken by the impact of rain drops resulting in the
formation of clay crust at the soil surface.
 The clay pan prevent the emerging seedlings and arrest the
free exchange of gasses between the soil and atmosphere.
 The surface crust can be easily broken by harrowing or
cultivator ploughing.
 Soil Erosion
 It is defined as detachment, transportation and deposition of
soil particles from one place to another place under influence
of wind, water and gravitational forces.
Water Erosion Wind Erosion

• Soil moves in jumps

Sheet Erosion Saltation • Particle size from
0.5-0.05 mm

• Small size
Rill Erosion Suspension particle float
in air

Surface • Rolling of soil

Gully Erosion particles on ground
creep
 Management of Soil Erosion

Strip Cropping Wind Break

Selection of
species Agroforestry

Cover crop
 Water Logged Soils
Waterlogging refers to the saturation of soil with water.
Soil may be regarded as waterlogged when it is nearly
saturated with water much of the time such that its air
phase is restricted and anaerobic conditions prevail.

Causes
 Over irrigation
 Surface flooding
 Presence of high water table
 Inadequate drainage
 Seepage from canal
Management of Water-Logged Soils
 Levelling of land
 Drainage
 Controlled irrigation
 Flood control measures
 Plantation of trees having high transpiration rate
Research
Findings
Table 3. Effect of Prosopis juliflora-Leptochloa fusca
silvipastoral system on physical and chemical properties in
land with alkali soil.
Soil Properties Depth (cm) Initial At 74 months of
planting
pH 0-15 10.3 8.9
15-30 10.3 9.4
EC 0-15 2.2 0.36
15-30 1.5 0.60
Organic 0-15 0.18 0.58
carbon(%) 15-30 0.13 0.36
Available 0-15 79 165
Nitrogen(Kg/ha) 15-30 73 134
Available 0-15 30 35
Phosphorus 15-30 26 31
(kg/ha)

(Behera et al., 2015)

 Table 4. Effect of different treatments on physical
properties of soil at harvest of safflower
Treatments Bulk Hydraulic Infiltration Maxim
density conductivity rate um
(g/cm-3) (cm hr-1) (cm hr-1) WHC
(%)
100% RDF without incorporation of crop 1.51 0.15 1.23 51.35
residue

Incorporation of crop residue @ 2t ha-1 1.50 0.20 1.41 52.48

PSB 10 kg ha-1+crop residue @ 2t ha-1+ 1.40 0.24 1.66 53.70

Alkali irrigation water passed through
gypsum bed for safflower only

50% RDF with incorporation of crop 1.43 0.28 1.69 55.69

residue @ 2t ha-1

(Bhowate and Bhansod, 2017)

 Conti..
Treatments Bulk density Hydraulic Infiltration Maximum
(g/cm-3) conductivity rate WHC (%)
(cm hr-1) (cm hr-1)
50% RDF + PSB 10 1.45 0.18 1.36 51.98
kg ha-1
50% RDF + PSB 10 1.42 0.30 1.72 57.15
kg ha crop residue
@ 2 t ha-1

50% RDF+ PSB 10 1.39 0.33 1.78 58.44

kg ha-1
+ crop residue @ 2
t ha-1
+ Alkali irrigation
water passed
through gypsum bed
for safflower only
 Table 5. Effect of different doses of biocompost on soil pH, EC
and Organic carbon
Treatments pH EC (dS/m) OC (%)
Before After Before After Before After
transplanting transplanting transplanting transplanting transplanting transplanting
of rice of rice of rice of rice of rice of rice

Control 9.3 9.3 2.8 2.7 0.40 0.40

Biocompost 9.3 9.2 2.8 2.7 0.40 0.43

@ 2 t/ha

Biocompost 9.3 9.1 2.8 2.7 0.40 0.46

@ 4 t/ha

Biocompost 9.3 9.0 2.8 2.7 0.40 0.47

@ 6 t/ha

(Khan et al., 2014)

Thank
You