60. Sodicity Status of Salt-Affected Soils of Israna, Haryana, India

Salt-affected soil (SAS) is a permanent problem inherited in landscape of arid and semi-arid region due to climatic conditions. Sodic soils are an important category of SAS which are characterized by excess levels of sodium ions (Na⁺) in the soil solution phase as well as on the cation exchange complex. Soil sodicity is one of the major problems that deteriorates the quality and quantity of produce and limits the choice of cultivable crops. The objective of the study was to assess the sodicity status in the salt-affected area of Israna. Soil chemical properties related with sodicity viz., electrical conductivity (EC), exchangeable sodium (Na⁺) concentration, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and soil pH were analyzed using standard methods. Results showed significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher values of pH, exchangeable Na⁺ concentration, ESP and SAR in all the affected sites relative to the control sites. This study reveals that the salt- affected soils are sodic in nature which affects the growth and yield of crops.