IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF SALINITY ON SOIL PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

Salinity and sodicity are major soil problems leading to the deterioration of soil fertility.The current study was carried out at District Swabi for the assessment of the impacts of salinity on soil physico-chemical properties. Soil samples were collected from both saline and non saline areas and were analyzed for physical and chemical properties. Study findings showed that the physio chemical properties of saline were much different from that of the non saline lands. The texture of saline land was found to be silt loam while that of non saline was sandy loam. The average pH , EC, soil bulk density, SAR(Sodium adsorption Ratio),Soil Extractable Sodium (Na⁺), soil Extractable K⁺,  of saline lands were found to be higher as compared to the non saline soil while soil porosity,Phosphorous (P), No₃-N, Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ , of non saline soil was greater as compared to the saline soils. Study findings showed that salinity has great effects on the physical and chemical properties of the soil because it causes to reduce the amount of some micro and macro nutrients and increases the amount of salts like Na⁺, K⁺, which leads to the higher SAR (sodium absorption ratio). To facilitate future measurement of soil salinity and sodicity improvements in study area and permit adoption of appropriate salinity management practices this study suggests  management  practices  like using planting  of  salt-tolerant  crops,  agro forestry,  applications  of  lime  (gypsum  or  oyster  shells),  organic  manures  and  residues,  leaching  and drainage.