1991/12/01 by Pichu Rengasamy, P Rengasamy, KA Olsson · 2 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Pasture and Agricultural Systems
paper · doi:10.1071/sr9910935
crossref issued 1991/12/01 · crossref published 1991/12/01 · crossref published-print 1991/12/01 · openalex publication_date 1991/12/01 · crossref created 2005/04/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref deposited 2025/11/18 · crossref indexed 2026/07/28 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Sodic soils are widespread in Australia reflecting the predominance of sodium chloride in groundwaters and soil solutions. Sodic soils are subject to severe structural degradation and restrict plant performance through poor soil-water and soil-air relations. Sodicity is shown to be a latent problem in saline-sodic soils where deleterious effects are evident only after leaching profiles free of salts. A classification of sodic soils based on sodium adsorption ratio, pH and electrolyte conductivity is outlined. Current understanding of the processes and the component mechanisms of sodic soil behaviour are integrated to form the necessary bases for practical solutions in the long term and to define areas for research. The principles of organic and biological amelioration of sodicity, as alternatives to costly inorganic amendments, are discussed.