Effect of reclamation on the structure of silty-clay soils irrigated with saline-sodic waters
 
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1
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari “A. Moro”. Via Amendola, 165/A, 70125 Bari, Italy
 
2
Agricultural Research Council Agrobiology and Pedology Research Centre CRA-ABP., Piazza D’Azeglio 30, 50121, Florence, Italy
 
 
Int. Agrophys. 2015, 29(1): 23-30
 
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ABSTRACT
The objective of the work was to evaluate, by using the micromorphometric method, the effects of reclama­tion on porosity of two different clay loam soils irrigated with saline-sodic waters. Soil samples of the Ap horizon were put in cylindrical containers and irrigated with 9 types of saline-sodic waters (3 levels of salinity combined with 3 levels of sodicity). After a 4-year period, correction treatments were initiated by addi­tion of calcium sulphate and leaching until electrical conductivity and sodium absorption ratio values of the drainage water matched 3 dS m-1 and 9, respectively. After 2 years of correction treatments, undisturbed soil samples were taken from the surface layer and soil thin sections for porosity measurements. Both soils did not show critical macroporosity values (> 10%, below this threshold a soil is classified as compact). Nevertheless, the soils exhibited a different behaviour: total porosity of the Pachic Haploxeroll soil was not affected by difference in water salinity and alkalinity; on the contrary, the Udertic Ustochrept soil showed a lower porosity associated with higher salt concentration in the irrigation waters. This may be due to the different iron and aluminium sesquioxides content and, as a consequence, a different effect on soil aggregate stability.
eISSN:2300-8725
ISSN:0236-8722
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