SALT AFFECTED SOILS OF NAIN EXPERIMENTAL FARM: SITE CHARACTERISTICS, RECLAIMABILITY AND POTENTIAL USE

Abstract

Salt affected soils of Nain Experimental Farm (Village Nain, District Panipat and State Haryana) were surveyed, characterized and classified for reclamation and management. It also provides primary input for soil characteristics prior to planning any research experiment for arable crops. Historically, the farm area (10.8 ha) was a barren, flat scrub land showing thick salt efflorescence/crust with high soil salinity at surface with saline ground water. Located at the Indo-Gangetic alluvial plain under semiarid climate, salt affected soils are highly variable and complex saline and sodic in nature. The presence of calcretes (calcium carbonates nodules/concretions) and ferricretes (iron oxides nodules) showed irreversible precipitation of calcium, iron and manganese in sodic soils under poor drainage condition. These soils also showed variable soil texture, lack distinct horizon development and showed ustic soil moisture regime, thus, classified as Haplustepts under the USDA Soil Taxonomy. Highly saline soils are classified at phase level. Sodic character is shown at the subgroup level following modified classification by Verma et al. (2007). The non-availability of good quality water (canal/tubewell) restricted its use for arable cropping. Seepage and accumulation of salty parent materials caused high soil salinization in soil profiles at lower topographic zone. The spatial variability studies using grid sampling method is used for mapping spatial distribution of soil salinity /alkalinity and soluble ions. The dominance of chloride and sulfates of sodium, calcium and magnesium in saline soils and the presence of carbonates and bicarbonates in sodic soils showed necessity for salt leaching and gypsum treatment for reclamation. Soils with low to moderate salinity are suggested for growing salt tolerant varieties with necessary soil and water management practices. Highly saline and sodic soils may be used for fisheries development or forestry purposes. The quality of ground water at shallow depth (80 ft) is saline and unfit for irrigation. It may used in cyclic or mixed mode with good quality water. The quality of drain water is good but is available in monsoon season only. These soils are also used for brick kilns and industrial development purposes such as Thermal Power generation, Fertilizer Manufacturing (NFL) and Oil Refinery (IOC) plants in nearby areas. In areas where good quality irrigation water is available, these soils were used for growing rice and wheat.