22016 Sai Salinity Testing, Data interpretation and Rovonenentaions | Pulcations | UGA Extension @UGA extension ubcations Soil Salinity Testing, Data Interpretation and Recommendations (C 1019) Leticia $. Sonon, Uttam Saha, and David E. Kissel Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratories «+ Effects of Salinity on Plant Growth + Visual Diagnosis of Salt-A‘Tactes Sols + Soll Salinity Measurements + Collecting Soll Samples for Safnity Testing + ‘Soll Sanity Test Package Offered at UGA ‘+ Reclaiming Salt-Affected Sails + References ‘The University of Georgia Agricutural and Environmental Services Laboratories offer sol salinity testing to help farmers and the general publc diagnose anc manage problews associated with sollsalinty. By detition, a salne sol contains excess soluble salts that reduce the growth of, ‘most crops or ornamental plants, These soluble salts contain cations such as sodium (Na) potassium (K*), calcium (Ca?*) and magnesium (Mg2") along with anions chloride (CI), sulfate (50,2), nitrate (NOs), bicarbonate (HCOs") and carbonate (C032. Soll salinty fs caused by several factors. Soils ‘may become salne as @ result of land use, Inckiding the use of irrigation water with high levels of salt. Seawater is also a source of sak in low-lying areas along the coast through tidal estuaries or when rainfall in coastal regions mixes with sea spray. Saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers ‘may occur when wells are dose to the coast, and water is pumped to the surface for various purposes, including irrigation. Left Sol with 90 Purposes, including irigat Right: Soll with poor and dense structure (sodie Irrigating from salt-impacted wels or saline som Industrial water may lead to the formation of, saline soil. Soll sodicty, on the other hand, is caused by high sodium levels in sols at concentrations ‘reater than 15 percent of the cation exchange capacity. Sodic sols tend to have poor structure with unfavorable physical properties such as poor water inftration and air exchange, which can reduce plant growth. Effects of Salinity on Plant Growth Salinity reduces water availabilty for plant use. High salt levels hinder water absorption, inducing physiological drought in the plant. The soll may contain adequate water, but plant roots are Unable to absorb the water due to unfavorable osmotic pressure. This is referred to as the hpdloensionuga.ecipubicatorsidtal tm trunber=C 10194Visual 822016 Sail Stinity Testing, Data interpretation and Rocormendations | Pulcations | UGA Extension ‘osmotic or water-defct effect of salinity. Plants are generally mast sensitive to satiny during germination and early growth ‘The second effect of salinty is shown when excessive amounts of salt enter the plant in the transpiration stream and injure leaf cells, which further reduces growth. This is called the salt specific or ion-excess effect of salinity (Greenway and Munns, 1980). Symptoms may include restricted root growth, marginal or leaf tip burning/ browning, Inhibited flowering, reduced vigor and reduced crap yields. Visual Diagnosis of Salt-Affected Soils Accumulation of salts can resu in three sol conditions: saline, saline-sodic ane sodic sols. Each of these soil conditions has distinct characteristics that can be observed in the field, which are Useful for diagnosing the problem. Completely white soils are saline, solls wth a brownish-black crust are sodie, and grey-colored soils are generally saline-sodic. The following physical observations/symatoms may be helpful in diagnosing salt-related soil problems: Probiem Symptoms saline White crust on sol surface, Water-stressed plants, Leaf tip Dum, soa Poor drainage, Black powdary residue on soll sutace, Saline Sodie __Grey-calored sol. Plants showing water stress. Source: Waskom etal, 2010. Olagnasing saline and sod Sou problems. Colorado State Unversity Extension Fat Sheot # 0.521 Soil Salinity Measurements Problems due to soll salinity and sodicty in soll are commonly evaluated by laboratory testing. ‘The folowing laboratory measurements are typically used to determine the extent of these problems: 1. Electrical Conductivity (EC) — Measures the abilty of the soil solution to conduct electricity and is expressed in decisiemens per meter (d5/m, which is equivalent to mmhas/cm). Because ure water is a poor conductor of electricty, increases in soluble sats result in proportional Increases in the solution EC, The standard procedure for salinity testing 's to measure EC of a Solution extracted from a soll wetted to a "saturation paste.” According to U.S. Salinity aboratory Staff (1954), a saline soll has an EC of the saturated paste extract of more than 4 <éS/m, a value that corresponds to approximately 40 mmol salts per Iter. Crops vary in their tolerance to saliny and some may be adversely effected at ECs less than 4 dS/m. Salt tolerances are known for common crops. For example, peach is sensitive, whereas cotton is more salt tolerant (Maas, 1990), Beets and asparagus are very tolerant of salinity, 2. Total Soluble Salts (TSS) — Refers to the total amount of soluble salts in a soll-saturated paste extract exaressed in parts per milion or millgrams per iter (ppm or mg/L). A Inear relationship exists between TSS and EC within a certain range that can be useful to closely estimate soluble salts in a soll solution or extract, The ratio of TSS to EC of various salt solutions ranges from $50 to 700 ppm per dS/m. Sodium chloride, the mast common salt, has a TSS of 640 apm per dS/m. So If EC is known, TSS can be estimated using the formula below: 5S (mg/t or om) = EC (menhosjem 9+ 65/m) x 640, hpdloensionuga.ecipubicatorsidtal tm trunber=C 10194Visual22016 Sail Stinity Testing, Data interpretation and Rocormendations | Pulcations | UGA Extension 3. Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) — A widely accepted index for characterizing soll sodicky, Which describes the proportion of sodium to calcium and magnesium in sil solution. The formula to calculate SAR is given below, with concentrations expressed in millequivalents per Mer (meq/L) analyzed from a saturated paste soll extract. INa*] afi ce T+ IMD When SAR is greater than 13, the sells called a sodic soll Excess sodium in sodic sols causes Sol particles to repel each other, preventing the formation of soll aggregates. This results in a very tight soll structure with poor water infitration, poor aeration and surface crusting, which makes tillage dificult and restricts seecling emergence and root growth (Munshower, 1994; Seelig, 2000; Horneck et a, 2007) 4. Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) — Another index that characterizes soll sodicty. [As noted above, excess sodium causes poor water movement and poor aeration. By definition, sodic sollhas an ESP greater than 15 (US Salinty Lab Staff, 1954). ESP is the sodium adsorbed fon soll particles as a percentage of the Cation Exchange Capacty (CEC). It is calculated as: (we?) 's often estimated as the sum of the major exchangeable cations, including hydrogen. Both ‘ations and CEC are expressed as meq/1009. ESP can also be calculated as ws) (cat + mgt = WAT +4) P is used to characterize the sodicty of soils only, whereas SAR is applicable to both sol and soll solution or irrigation water. ‘The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides the following classification of salt~ affected soils using the saturated paste extraction: class (rambos/em) SAR ESP——_Typleal soll structural eonelitiont Normal Below 4.0 Below 13 Below 1S Fhccultec Satine Above 4.0 Below 13 Below 315. Foceulstes edie Below 4.0 Above 13 Above 15, Dispersed Saline-Sode Above d.0 Above 13 Above 18 Flceulates “Soil structural condition also depends on other factors not induded inthe NRCS cbssifation system, inching sol organic mater, siltexture and EC of irigation water (Hormeck etal, 2007) Collecting Soil Samples for Salinity Testing ‘The goal of salinity testing is to determine the salt evel of soil from which roots extract water, Therefore, soll samples should be collected from the 0 to 6 Inch depth or from the rooting dept hpdloensionuga.ecipubicatorsidtal tm trunber=C 10194Visual22016 Sail Stinity Testing, Data interpretation and Rocormendations | Pulcations | UGA Extension Deeper samples may be collected ifthe goal is to identify the extent of salinity caused by lerigation within the soll profile. In many cases, comparing soll samples from the affected area to surrounding normallooking areas ts valuable in diagnosing the problem. Collect eight to 10 cores from around a uniform area, mix them in a clean plastic bucket and transfer a composite sample (approximately 1 pound) to a soll sample bas. Soil Salinity Test Package Offered at UGA I. Basic Soil Salinity Test (1:2 soil-to-water ratio). Because methods of obtaining soll solution samples at water contents more typical ofthe field condition (the saturated paste) are not very practical, aqueous extracts of the soll samples have traditionally been made in the laborat salinity diagnosis and characterization. However, the values from the 1:2 soltto-water extraction are diferent from the standard saturated paste extraction, Therefore, the interpretation shown below would aso be different. The following parameters are included in the basic soll salinity test Fy at higher-than-normal water contents for routine soil + Calcium (Ca?*) ‘+ Magnesium (Mg?) + Potassium (K*) + Sodium (Na*) + pk + Electrical Conductivity (EC) + Total Soluble Salts (755) + Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) ‘The University of Georgia adopted the following guidelines in interpreting EC data from soil extracts (1:2 seikto-water ratio) Electrical Conductivity (mmnos fem) Rating Interpretation oasoso aw Msollngs organic mater. * “ Satisfactory sols high in orpanie matter 0511.25 Medium Okay ange for established plants tasty tag OXY For most establishes plants Too high for seedlings or cuttings. 1.76-2.00 Veryhigh Plants usually stunted or ehlroti. high frequently led Il, Comprehensive Soil Salinity Test (Saturated Paste Extract; NH,OAc Extraction for ESP). ‘The saturated paste method provides 2 more representative measurement of total soluble saks ln the soll solution because Its closer to the water content of the soll under fleld conditions. This method, however, i time-consuming and subject to some technician variabilty when preparing the paste. This test package also includes extraction of solls with ammonium acetate (NH-OAC) to measure exchangeable cations and ESP. hpdloensionuga.ecipubicatorsidtal tm trunber=C 10194Visual22016 Sai Salinity Testing, Data interpretation and Rovonenentaions | Pulcations | UGA Extension ‘The folowing parameters are included in the comprehensive sol salinity test: 1. Saturated Paste Extract + caloum (ca?*) + Magnesium (92 + Potassium (k*) + Chiorde (cr) + Sodium (Na) + Nirate-nitrogen (NOs-N) + Sulfate (50,2) + oH + ectrial Conductivty (EC) + Total Soluble Sats (TSS) + Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) Preparing saturated pastes. 2. NH4OAc Extract + Calcium (Ca?*) ‘+ Magnesium (Mg?*) + Sodium (Wa) + Potassium (K*) + Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) ‘The general interpretation of data on electrical conductivity ang exchangeable sodium percentage from saturated paste extracts are given below. Interpretation of electrical conductivity (EC) from saturated paste extract. ‘Electrical ‘conductivity (rnmbos/em) Salt Rank Interpretation 02 Low Very itl cnance of injury onal plants a ocerate _Sensttve plants and seedlings of others may show injury ost non-sak tolerant plants wil show injury; salt-sensitve plants 49 Wah wil show severe injury es ‘Excessive Salctolerant plants wil grow; most thers show severe injury very 16+ Very few plants will tolerate ane grow. Excessive " ‘Source: Laman, R. and D.A. Whitney. 1892. Management o saline ad soa sols. Kansas State University, Department of Agronomy M102. Interpretation of exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) from saturated paste extract. ESP Rank Interpretation o Low No adverse effet on sols they 10 Sol dispersion resulting In poor soll physkeal conattion and poor plant growth are hpdloensionuga.edipubicatorsidtail tn trunber=C 10194Visual22016 Sail Salinity Testing, Data interpretation and Rocormendations | Pulcations | UGA Extension University, Department of Agronomy MF-102 Reclaiming Salt-Affected Soils After the kinds and amounts of salts in the soll have been determined by testing, the sollcan be properly treated. Reclaiming a salt-affected soil nvohes leaching, chemical treatment or a combination of both. Leaching Application of good quality irrigation water in the correct amounts will remove excess salts from soll that are well structured and have goad internal drainage. Excess saks should be leached below the root zone so that the EC of the soll solution becomes lawer than the crop's crtcal threshold, The University of Georgie recommengs leaching techniques to remove salts from the root zone when EC is greater than 1.25 mmhos/em at a solkto-water ratio of 1:2. The volume of lowesalt water needed to dissolve and leach any large quantities of salts from the soilis given below. A general rule of thumb is that 6 inches of water will remove about half of the salt, 12, Inches wil remove 4/5, end 24 inches will remove 9/10, Estimated leaching requirements to remove salts Volume of saltfree water | Reduction of salt content in so 22 inches 80% 24 inches 90% For sols with poor drainage, It is recommended to break root-restrictive herdpans or clay pans by deep tilage to allow water to penetrate and leach the saks. It may be necessary to install tle rains to remove salt-laden drainage water and move it below the root zone by rainfall or irrigation water Chemical treatment When a soll has an SAR value of above 13 (or ESP greater than 15), contals excess sodium that makes ita sodic sal, Excess sodium can cause soll dispersion, which pravents the formation of soll aggregates, resuiting in surface sealing or crusting. Dispersion of the soll by excess sodium reduces water inftration and movement through the soll, and also causes poor aeration, Good aeration and water movement are both essential to unrestricted growth of plant roots. To climinate surface seating, the soil should be treated with calcium to remove sodium. One of the most commonly used calcium sources for correcting sodium-contaminated soil is gypsum (calelum sutfete, Ca[SOq}+2H20]). Gypsum is incorporated into the soil, folowed by application of salt-free irrigation water. The amount of calcium to apaly depends on the quantity of sodium Soll, Road de-icing salt or calcium chloride (CaCI,) Is also an option to provide calcium to sol, but itis mare expensive than gypsum. ‘The table below provides the amount of gypsum needed te replace exchangeable sodium i soll, The soil test sodium values are determined from an ammonium acetate extraction at pH 7. Sol hpdloensionuga.ecipublicatorsidtail tm trunber=C 10194Visual22016 Sail Salinity Testing, Data interpretation and Rocormendations | Pulcations | UGA Extension exchangeable “Amount of Gypsum Neoded® ‘sodium als04}62(H1,0] Tons/see Tons/aere-6 —wysjt000.@2-1———_s/2000 02-6 bbs/acre " fot? incase foot inches 460 17 09 80 40 3000 69. a4 220 160 Source: U.S, Salty Laboratory Staf, 1954, mith medlfeatons, foot of soll weighs approximately 4,000,000 pounes. ©1 ace-6 inches of soil weighs approximately 2,000,000 pounds. Correcting a sat-affected soll involves identifying the kind anc amount of salt, chemical treatment. and leaching. When a salinity problem is identified, Ris recommended that corrective steps be taken immediately. Prompt action will give a better chance of recaiing the affected sol, be less expensive and pose less risk of plant damage. References Greenway H., Munns R. 1980. Mechanisms of salt tolerance in nenhalophytes. Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 31:149-190. Horneck, D.S., Elsworth, J.W., Hopkins, 8.G., Sullvan, D.M., Stevens, R.G., 2007. Managing Sakt-Affected Soils for Crop Production, PNW 601-E, Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Washington State University Lamond, R. and D.A. Whitney. 1992. Management of saline and sodic soit. Kansas State University, Department of Agronomy MF-1022, Maas, E.V. 1990, Crop salt tolerance. In Agricultural Salinity Assessment and Management. K.K. ‘Tanji (Ed) American Society of Civil Engineers Munshower, FF. 1994. Practical Handbook of Disturbed Land Revegetation. Lewis Publisher, Boca Raton, FL. Seelig, 8.0. 2000. Salinity and Sodicty in North Dakota Solls. E8-57. North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND. US Salinky Laboratory Staff. 1954, Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils, USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 69. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, Waskom, RM., T.A. Bauder, J.G. Davis, and G.E. Cardon. 2010. Diagnosing saline and sadic soll problems. Colorado State University Extension Fact Sheet # 0.521 ‘Status and Revision History Published an May 31, 2012 Reviewed on Oct 5, 2015 hpdloensionuga.ecipubicatorsidtal tm trunber=C 10194Visual 822016 Sai Salinity Testing, Data interpretation and Rovonenentaions | Pulcations | UGA Extension hpdloensionuga.ecipubicatorsidtal tm trunber=C 10194Visual