Reclamation of sodic soils through vermitechnology
2008
Ansari, A.A. (Indira Nagar Lucknow, Uttarpradesh (India)) | Ismail, S.A. (Ecoscience Research Foundation, Chennai (India))
To study the application of organic amendments in varied combinations in sodic soils thereby exploring the role of earthworms in soil reclamation, present investigations were carried out during 1998-2000 at Shivri farm of Uttar Pradesh Bhumi Sudhar Nigam, Lucknow, India. The soil quality was monitored during the experiment followed with crop trials (wheat and paddy crop cycle). The treatments were based on successive addition of organic amendments. Among the combinations used in the present investigation, amendment [VWTGMEVC] "vermiwash, tillage, green manure, mulch, earthworms and vermicompost" has shown significant results. Sodic soil bioremediation was highly significant in plots treated with [VWTGMEVC], suggesting qualitative improvement in the physical, chemical and biological properties of the soil. The average yield of wheat and paddy crop cycle during the two years of trial showed a significantly greater response in plots [VWTGMEVC], compared with the control and FYM plots. The reduced cost of reclamation, cultivation, less cost-benefit ratio and higher net income from wheat and paddy cultivation has been recorded through Vermitech pattern compared with the use of conventional method (use of gypsum and chemical fertilizers). This biological method of reclamation is sustainable and sodicity reversal does not occur as in conventional reclamation methods based on the earlier observations.
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