Some properties of saline-alkaline soils of Aydin-Söke plain and activity of gypsum as amelioration material

Abstract

The study has been carried out in two different areas; a farmer area in Söke Plain and in experimental station of Adnan Menderes University. The aims of study, are to determine of some physical and chemical properties of the soils and to search of activity of gypsum (CaSO4) used in alkaline soils having high sodium. For this purpose, 50,100 and 150 kg/da gypsum were applied to the experimental soils besides control. These applications were made in autumn after harvest period and before the winter rains. In order to determine affects of gypsum on some physical and chemical properties of the soils such as texture, pH, soluble salt content, lime, EC, organic matter content, boron, aggregate stability, dispersion ratio, suspension and dispersion percent. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were taken from 0-10,10-20,20-30, 30-40, 40-60, 60-90 cm depths in May after spring rain and in September when the soils are drier. The obteined data taken from the analyses were evaluated as statistically. The results showed that gypsum doses used as amelioration material are effective to lead Na into soil solution by leaving from soil colloids. However this phenomenon was not found sufficient in the soils of sesecond experimental area. Hence gypsum doses that will be used in soils having high alkalinity should be higher and the soils should be washed with high quality water after gypsum treatment because of unsufficient rains in the area.