An overview of emerging trends in sodicity reclamation and enhanced food production

Abstract

Soil salinity and sodicity have emerged as serious environmental concerns worldwide. The poor soil structure, variability in soil chemical properties and low nutritional status restrict the crop growth with lower productivity in these soils. Around 50 % of the world's arable lands are moderately or highly affected by different levels of degradation. Sodic soils are characterized by high pH and
exchangeable sodium percentage, poor hydraulic conductivity with large clay dispersion and significantly low nutrient availability. Gypsum application is the most widely adopted technology for sodic soil reclamation. However, considering the issues related to the availability and purity of mined gypsum, other alternatives are also explored. Some potential industrial by-products, organic sources, and conjunctive synthetic and organic formulations for rapid and cost-effective alternatives to degraded land reclamation are discussed in the article.