Soil Salinity

Soil Salinity Increased amount of soluble salt in soil solution Soil Salinity Affects: Soil physico-chemical properties Biological soil properties Soil fertility

Soil Salinity Source of Salinity Primary minerals From deeper soil layers (soil solution) evaporation > rainfall Irrigation water Coastal soils High doses of chemical fertilizers

Soil Salinity Determined Ions Anions – SO42-, Cl-, CO32-,NO3-, PO43- Cations – Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+; Al3+, Fe3+

Methods of Determination Total salinity Measurement of electrical resistance Measurement of electrical conductivity Determination of single ions by titration by advanced methods

Methodology Quantitative determination of total salinity by soil ethanol extract conductivity measurement Weight 10 g of soil into plastic flask Add 50 ml of 50% ethanol Let shake for 45 min Filtration of soil suspension Measurement of soil ethanol extract conductivity by conductometer

Evaluation – conductivity of ethanol extract < 30 µS.cm-l : most agricultural soils, with normal (lower) intensity of fertilization and liming, with a minimum load of soil salts 30 - 60 µS.cm-l : mineral-rich soil with moderate to high intensity fertilizing and liming, without the negative effects of salinity 60 - 120 µS.cm-l: soils with a high degree of fertilization and liming in mineral-rich substrates (as well as highly acidic soil) with an increased load of soil salts (in loamy, clay soils without adverse effects) > 120 µS.cm-l : high load of soil salts with possible negative effects on plant growth and development (especially in drought conditions).

Evaluation – conductivity of water extract 0-2 mS.cm-l : negligible effect 2-4 mS.cm-l : highly sensitive plants may be affected (bean, lime) 4-8 mS.cm-l: most of sensitive plants can give lower yields 8-16 mS.cm-l : only resistant plants gives satisfactory yields (wheat, olives) > 16 mS.cm-l : only highly tolerant plants give satisfactory yields (barley, sugar beet, some palms)

Evaluation – conductivity of water extract 0-4 mS.cm-l : No salinization 4-8 mS.cm-l : Slight salinization 8 -15 mS.cm-l: Moderate salinization > 15 mS.cm-l : Strong salinization

Methodology Quantitative determination of selected ions Weight 10 g of soil Add 50 ml of overcooked distilled water Let shake for 3 min Filtrate the soil suspension into the beaker CO32- : Move 2-3 ml of filtrate into test tube, add one drop of phenolphtalein, bring to a boil over burner Pink colour → the carbonates are present HCO3-: After the pink colour disappearance add one drop of methyl orange (into the same extract) Yellow colour → hydrogen carbonates are present

Methodology Quantitative determination of selected ions Cl-: Move 2-3 ml of filtrate into test tube, add 3-5 drops of HNO3 and 3-5 drops of 5% AgNO3 White precipitate → chlorides are present SO42-: Move 2-3 ml of filtrate into test tube, add 3 drops of 10% HCl and 3-5 drops of 10% BaCl2 White precipitate → sulphates are present (insoluble BaSO4 )