RECLAIMING EFFECT OF RICE GROWN IN SODIC SOILS

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Abstract
The favourable effect of growing rice for the reclamation of sodic soils was examined in a pot experiment.Rice increased the percolation rate even in the highly sodic soil. This seems due to the physical presence of roots which facilitate the movement of water along its surfaces. However, the reclamation efficiency per unit amount of water did not increase, because the water moved mainly through the macropores and not through the entire mass.Biological activity of rice roots lowered the soil pH and decreased the loss of organic matter during the process of leaching. Rice plants resulted in high cumulative removal of soil exchangeable sodium caused by mobilisation of native insoluble CaCo3 as a result of increased hydrolysis and CO2 liberated by plant roots. In sodic soils as well as in a Na-resin-sand-CaCO3 system it was observed that the reclaiming effect of rice was more biochemical in nature rather than through increased permeability alone. The favourable effect of growing rice for the reclamation of sodic soils was examined in a pot experiment. Rice increased the percolation rate even in the highly sodic soil. This seems due to the physical presence of roots which facilitate the movement of water along its surfaces. However, the reclamation efficiency per unit amount of water did not increase, because the water moved mainly through the macropores and not through the entire mass. Biological activity of rice roots lowered the soil pH and decreased the loss of organic matter during the process of leaching. Rice plants resulted in high cumulative removal of soil exchangeable sodium caused by mobilisation of native insoluble CaCo3 as a result of increased hydrolysis and CO2 liberated by plant roots. In sodic soils as well as in a Na-resin-sand-CaCO3 system it was observed that the reclaiming effect of rice was more biochemical in nature rather than through increased permeability alone. © Williams & Wilkins 1977. All Rights Reserved.

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