Comparative Effects of Different Methods of Gypsyum Application for Amelioration of Salt-Affected Soil

Soil degradation due to salinity and sodicity poses a significant challenge to the sustainable agriculture on a global scale. Gypsum has global importance for reclamation of sodium affected soil. Therefore, a study was planned to evaluate positive impacts of different methods of gypsum application on physicochemical properties of salt-affected soil and growth performance of rice crop.  The treatments applied were: T1 = Control (without gypsum), T2 = Gypsum @ 100 % GR before transplanting, T3 = Top dressing of gypsum @ 100 % GR, 15 days after transplanting, T4 = Top dressing of gypsum @ 100 % GR, 30 days after transplanting, T5 = Top dressing of gypsum @ 50 % GR, 15 days after transplanting + Top dressing of gypsum @ 50 % GR, 30 days after transplanting, T6 = Application of gypsum @ 100 % GR, 15 days after transplanting in dissolved form, T7 = Application of gypsum @ 100 % GR, 30 days after transplanting in dissolved form, T8 = Application of gypsum @ 50 % GR, 15 days after transplanting in dissolved form + Application of gypsum @ 50 % GR, 30 days after transplanting in dissolved form. Results of the study revealed that (T1) where gypsum was applied 30 days before rice transplanting was more advantageous method for amelioration of saline-sodic soil, decreasing soil pH from (6.60 to 8.44%), EC (35.09 to 49.31%), SAR (35.95 to 49.55%), HC (7.31 to 13.15%) and BD (2.38 to 2.94%) and also showed the highest value for most of the studied parameters of rice crop.