THE USABILITY OF HYDROGEL IN INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF GYPSUM APPLIED TO SALINE-SODIC SOILS

Abstract

This study aimed at the assessment of the usability of hydrogel in increasing the efficiency of gypsum applied to saline-sodic soils. The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions in disturbed soil columns and was set-up in a completely randomized design with six hydrogel application rates (Control, 0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20% and 0.25% weight/weight (w/w) basis) and with three replications. Hydrogel application to saline-sodic soil had significant effects on leachate pH. The highest leachate pH’s were found in the final leachates in the order of 0.05%>0.10%>0.15%, as 9.12, 9.09, and 9.03, respectively. In all of the application rates tested, the highest electrical conductivity (EC) and Na+ leachate losses were obtained after first pore volume of leaching and then decreased gradually with further leaching. Relative to the control, hydrogel application in the rate of 0.05% increased the leaching of Na+ by 8.1% on total. However, due to the absence of statistically significant effects of the treatments on Na+ leaching, an improvement in soil exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and pH in saturation extract (pHe) values as an indicator of reclamation was not proven. Use of gypsum together with hydrogel increased saturated hydraulic conductivity of soils in the rates of 28.6%-42.6%, which is especially important for reducing the duration for amelioration of saline-sodic soils. Application of hydrogel to saline-sodic soils along with gypsum can be an efficient management option not only for reducing the risk of physiological drought, but also for reducing the amount of time to reclaim saline-sodic soils.