Conjunctive use of different tillage implements and amendments for the reclamation of salt affected soils

Amelioration of undesirable conditions of salt prone degraded soils required the use of suitable amendments coupled with appropriate management practices. In this context, a field study was conducted to find out the best combination of tillage implements with gypsum and sulphuric acid for the reclamation of salt-affected soils. Implements used in the study were, T1 Disc Plough, T2 Rotavator, T3 Chisel plough, T4 Sub-Soiler. Whereas five levels of amendments were used, A1 Control (Without amendments), A 2 Sulphuric acid equivalent to 50% GR of soil, A 3 Sulphuric acid equivalent to 100% GR of soil, A 4 Gypsum application @ 50% GR of soil, A 5 Gypsum application @ 100% GR of soil. Implements were kept in the main plots and amendments in subplots. The experiment was conducted with sorghum-oat crop rotation in split-plot design having three replications. Fresh fodder yield of sorghum and oats was recorded. The results of the study showed that fresh fodder yield of sorghum and oats was maximum with H2SO4 and gypsum @100 % gypsum requirement of soil and subsoiler. Soil health was also improved with the use of H2SO4/ gypsum and subsoiler as tillage implements. Therefore, it was concluded that deep tillage through subsoiler with H2SO4 and gypsum @100 % GR can be an effective technology to accelerate the reclamation process of salt-affected soils.