International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Shreya Sarkar, Tanaya Dutta, Md. Nazmul Hoda, Tinni Roy and Parijat Bhattacharya

abstract
Sodic soil, characterized with high ESP (Exchangeable Sodium Percentage) (>15%), SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ratio) (>13) and pH (8.5-10) is considered as one of the important soil constraints causing reduced crop productivity. Out of the estimated 2.8 million hectares of sodic soils, about 2.5 million hectares occur in the Indo-Ganga plains. There are three distinct stages in the evaluation of sodic soils viz. salt accumulation, salinization and finally alkalization. Productivity of sodic soil is severely jeopardized by dispersion of soil colloid leading to slow infiltration, low permeability, water logging, poor soil tilth, cracking behaviour, soil crusting and poor microbial activities etc. The reclamation of sodic soil is an important step to increase the productivity of agricultural lands which includes chemical methods like application of gypsum, iron pyrite (FeS₂), sulphur, etc.; biological methods like application of organic wastes, mulching, crop rotation etc.; cultural methods like proper drainage, deep ploughing, frequently irrigation, land labelling and physical methods like proper tillage operation, flushing, scraping etc. Further research is required in this field to bring back more areas under cultivation from the menace of soil sodicity to sustain productivity and to ensure food security.