Discussion
Which amendment is most effective for reclaiming sodic soils by replacing sodium on exchange sites and improving soil structure ?
Answer: A
The most effective amendment is Gypsum (calcium sulphate).
Sodic soils have too much exchangeable sodium, which disperses the clay, destroys structure and makes the soil sticky and impermeable. Gypsum dissolves to supply calcium directly; the calcium replaces sodium on the exchange sites, and the released sodium forms sodium sulphate, which is leached out with irrigation water. The soil then flocculates and its structure and infiltration improve. Gypsum is also cheap and widely available.
Elemental sulphur works only indirectly, by oxidising to sulphuric acid that dissolves native lime, and so is slow and needs calcium carbonate in the soil. Lime is hardly soluble at the high pH of sodic soils, so it supplies little calcium. Organic compost helps structure but does not by itself displace sodium.
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