Description of practice

Alkalinity management is needed in agricultural soils with pH >8.4. This occurs in poorly drained soils where evaporation concentrates sodium bicarbonate (alkali) at or near the soil surface. Management consists of improving drainage and/or acidification (either by applying calcium as gypsum or by applying an acid to dissolve calcium already in the soil). This is followed by leaching of the salts.

Examples of how to use alkalinity management Further information
(see Note below)

AMP21 01

Calcareous soils management

Water-logged fields with high pH are reclaimed for cultivation by a combination of drainage channel construction and injecting ammonia as an acidifying agent to dissolve calcium carbonates. 

 

»WOCAT technology 716
»Taylor & Francis Online
»Springer Link

 

AMP21 02

Applying gypsum

Gypsum (calcium sulphate) is applied to alkaline soils to provide soluble Ca2+ to displace Na+ and maintain infiltration rates. Mixing gypsum to a depth of 15 cm is more effective than surface application. Flushing of salts is also needed.

 

»Western Australia Government

AMP21 03

 

Applying elemental sulphur, aluminum sulphate or pyrite

Sulphur is applied to alkaline soils to lower the pH by biological oxidation, producing sulphuric acid. Cost-effectiveness may be an issue, but sulphur and sulphates may reduce pH faster than gypsum.

 

»AFEPASA.com


Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.