EFFECT OF TILLAGE IN COMBINATION WITH CHEMICAL AMENDMENTS ON RECLAMATION OF A SOLONETZIC SOIL

Abstract

The effects of different tillage methods (normal, chiselling and deep plowing) on chemical characteristics and reclamation of a Duagh, Black Solonetz, soil were evaluated separately and in combination with chemical amendments of lime and gypsum. It was found that within the tillage treatments, deep plowing was the most effective in reducing exchangeable sodium percentage, sodium adsorption ratios and alkalinity potential in most soil layers. Also, deep plowing changed the chemistry of the soil solution thereby improving plant nutrition conditions in the root zone. There was only one significant difference in exchangeable sodium percentage values within the chemical amendments under tillage treatments, namely for the Ap and Bnt horizons of the chiselling treatment where lime and gypsum lowered the ESP. This indicates that chiselling hastened the penetration of the amendments. However, the amended values were not markedly lower than the ESP for the normal tillage treatment without chemical amendments.