THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT MAGNESIUM

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Abstract
We conducted a laboratory study to evaluate the effect of different magnesium: calcium ratios and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values in leaching waters of 80 milliequivalents per liter electrolyte concentration on soil properties of the calcareous and noncalcareous, alluvial, sandy loam soil of Karnal. We observed that the degree of dispersion increased and hydraulic conductivity decreased with an increase in the Mg: Ca ratio in leaching water at a given SAR in both calcareous and noncalcareous soil, but the effect of increasing the Mg:Ca ratio on the above properties was found to be more pronounced at higher than at lower SAR values. Comparatively, the magnitude of increase in dispersion and decrease in hydraulic conductivity due to an increase in the Mg:Ca ratio was greater in noncalcareous soil than in calcareous soil, however. We further observed that the increase in the degree of dispersion and the decrease in hydraulic conductivity with an increase in SAR at a given Mg:Ca ratio was of greater magnitude in noncalcareous soil than in calcareous soil, apparently due to higher ESP buildup in the former soil. The increasing concentration of Mg over Ca in the leaching water of a given SAR increased the Mg:Ca ratio and sodicity of both calcareous and noncalcareous soils, but the effect was more pronounced in the latter soil. We conclude, therefore, that the calcareousness of the soil is an important parameter in evaluating the effect of the Mg:Ca ratio of leaching water on the soil properties. We conducted a laboratory study to evaluate the effect of different magnesium: calcium ratios and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values in leaching waters of 80 milliequivalents per liter electrolyte concentration on soil properties of the calcareous and noncalcareous, alluvial, sandy loam soil of Karnal. We observed that the degree of dispersion increased and hydraulic conductivity decreased with an increase in the Mg: Ca ratio in leaching water at a given SAR in both calcareous and noncalcareous soil, but the effect of increasing the Mg:Ca ratio on the above properties was found to be more pronounced at higher than at lower SAR values. Comparatively, the magnitude of increase in dispersion and decrease in hydraulic conductivity due to an increase in the Mg:Ca ratio was greater in noncalcareous soil than in calcareous soil, however. We further observed that the increase in the degree of dispersion and the decrease in hydraulic conductivity with an increase in SAR at a given Mg:Ca ratio was of greater magnitude in noncalcareous soil than in calcareous soil, apparently due to higher ESP buildup in the former soil. The increasing concentration of Mg over Ca in the leaching water of a given SAR increased the Mg:Ca ratio and sodicity of both calcareous and noncalcareous soils, but the effect was more pronounced in the latter soil. We conclude, therefore, that the calcareousness of the soil is an important parameter in evaluating the effect of the Mg:Ca ratio of leaching water on the soil properties. © Williams & Wilkins 1981. All Rights Reserved.
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