DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES:

Salt-affected soil is a general term used for those soils which have been adversely modified for the growth of most plants because of the presence of excessive soluble salts, exchangeable sodium (Na) or both. Salt-affected soils are found in all continents and under almost all type of climates.However, their distribution is wide spread and extensive in arid and semi-arid regions as compared to humid. Nature and properties of these soils are diverse and require specific approaches for managment and reclamation in order to sustain their productivity. The decline in resources of fresh water is forcing farmers to use poor quality saline water for growing crops. The use of such poor quality water has further worsened the salinity issue.The objctive of this course is to give students an awareness about salt-affected and waterlogged as it is a global issue threatening the productivity of crops. The major implications caused by salinity and waterlogging include nutrient imbalance and destruction of soil structure which leads to reduced growth of crop plants.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

After the successful completion of this course students will be able to reclaim and manage salt-affected and waterlogged soils.The Students will also be able to to diagnose type of salinity, apply suitable reclamation technique and recommend sustainable management for crop production.

COURSE CONTENTS:

Theory

1. Salt affected soils, classification, properties and extent
2. Salination and Sodication: Gapon and pHc equations
3. Systems of characterization of salt affected soils
4. Chemistry of soil solution
5. Root zone salinity
6. Reclamation and management of salt affected soils
7. Irrigation water: Criteria and classification
8. Groundwater: Characteristics and resources
9. Salinity Buildup and prediction
10. Waterlogged soils: Causes, impact and management
11. Bio-saline Agriculture

Practicals

1. Field visit and sampling of salt affected soils and irrigation water
2. Saturated soil extract analysis, SAR calculation and ESP prediction
3. Irrigation Analysis, Classification and interpretation
4. Gypsum requirement of soil and brackish irrigation water
5. Demonstration of ex-situ soil reclamation techniques

Recommended Books:

1. Bohn, H. L., B. L. McNeal and G. A. O. Connor. 2001. Soil Chemistry. 3rd Ed.John Wiley & Sons Inc., NY, USA
2. Essington, M. E. 2004 Soil and Water Chemistry: An Integrated Approach. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
3. Ghafoor, A. M. Qadir and G. Murtaza .2004. Salt-AffectedSoils: Principles of Management. Allied Book Center, Lahore, Pakistan
4. Handbook 60
5. IWASRI manual
6. Molden, D. (ed.). 2007. Water for Food, Water for Life: A Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture. Earthscan Colombo. IWMI, Sri lanka.
7. Tanji, K. K. and N. G. Kielm. 2002. Agricultural Drainage Water

Assessment Criteria

Sessional: 08 (project, presentation, participation)

Project: 04

Presentation: 02

Participation: 02

Mid exam: 12

Final exam: 20

Practical exam: 20