Amelioration of soil salinity through sulphur sources and its impact on cotton production

Abstract

Amendment of excessive Na⁺ ions as main cause of soil salinity is accomplished with divalent cations like Ca⁺⁺ that percolate off Na⁺ ions from root zone. The viable option is gypsum application and to hurdle out its insolubility is to add sulphuric acid and getting desires. A trial comprising of various combinations of Gypsum and Sulphuric acid to effectively solubilize and augment gypsum efficacy in saline sodic soil was conducted. Prior to experiment pH, EC and ESP of soil ranged from 8.39 to 8.54, 13.04 to 14.04 and 34.25 to 37.91 respectively and clued sodic nature with ESP > 15. Sulphuric acid and gypsum were utilized thirty days earlier to planting in corresponding plots in addition to 150-90-60 kg ha^-1 NPK as recommended dose. After harvest same were again analyzed for physicochemical attributes along with soil samples physicochemical characteristics. Statistical analysis remained confident with respect to all i.e. yield and its allies, soil pH, EC and ESP as well as solubility of gypsum and reclamation of soil when 50% gypsum + 50% sulphuric acid were applied. Thus 50% gypsum+50% sulphuric acid is recommended as most economic and optimum dose as an operative ameliorative approach for salt exaggerated soils. 50% gypsum+50% sulphuric acid also illustrated highest produce of 3246.30 kg ha^-1 seed cotton showing an increase of 81% more yield over control.