Sodic soil Australia can be described as a typical soil problem where excess sodium can alter the structure of soil, it reduces water infiltration and hinders plant growth. It impacts huge areas of agricultural land and is a major reason of poor yields as well as surface crusting and waterlogging in many Australian regions.
How do you define sodic soil?
Sodic soil is a soil which has a significant amount of sodium ions bonded with clay. In Australia, a soil that are sodic are typically distinguished by An Exchangeable Sodium Proportion (ESP) that is greater than 6. The high sodium levels cause soil particles to break up, which results in dense, compacted soil that blocks air, water, as well as root movement.
Sodic soil is an issue of major concern in Australia?
Sodic soils are prevalent throughout Australia due to the naturally high sodium content of parent materials, as well as low rainfall and a limited amount of leaching. This allows sodium to build up over time. Sodicity is especially prevalent in duplex and clay soils, which makes huge areas of broad acre farming as well as horticulture and grazing land susceptible to decreased yields.
The problem is typically more serious when heavy rain or irrigation instances, where soil particles that are dispersed create obstructions to pores, which can cause erosion, surface sealing as well as poor drainage.
What are the effects of sodic soil on the quality of pastures and crops?
Sodic soil can negatively impact the growth of plants in a variety of ways. A poor soil structure can hinder the growth of roots, and reduces the availability of nutrients and water. Infiltration rates for water decrease, which causes erosion and runoff to increase and limiting the storage of moisture. The emergence of seedlings can be impeded due to crusting on the surface, and crops can exhibit signs of nutrient stress even after fertiliser has been applied.
As time passes, these issues result in lower yields, inconsistent crop growth, and an increase in cost of management.
How can the soil of sodic get treated in Australia?
Effective management of the sodic soils in Australia is focused on improving the structure of soils and decreasing sodium dominance. The most popular method of treatment is to use calcium-based soil amendments like Gypsum. Calcium replaces sodium on clay particles, permitting soil aggregates to form and improve water flow.
The successful treatment also involves:
A proper leaching process to remove the sodium displaced
Maintaining a ground cover to prevent erosion
Limiting the flow of traffic on wet soils in order to avoid compaction
Enhancing the levels of organic matter to facilitate the aggregation process
The treatment strategies must be adapted to the soil type, climate and the land's use.
Are sodic soils the same as soil with saline?
No. Although saline and sodic soils are frequently misunderstood, they're two distinct situations. Saline soils are characterised by significant amounts of soluble salts, and sodic soils are distinguished by high sodium levels relative to other Cations. Sodic soils can exist, but not saline. sodicity can cause more severe harm to the structure than salinity.
Sodic soil management over the long term
Sodic soil management managing sodic soil in Australia needs a longer-term plan instead of a single application. Testing soil regularly, proper amendment rates, and effective water management are crucial. If properly managed, sol sic soils can be stabilised and restored back to productive usage.
If they are treated properly and have continuous monitoring, Australian farmers and land managers can dramatically increase the soil's performance as well as water efficiency and reliability of crop production on sodic soil.
