Effect of polymaleic acid on saline sodic soils

Abstract

Saline-sodic soils in Middle Awash Valley area of Ethiopia have very high soluble sodium content and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP). Leaching soluble salts with water alone could not fasten reclamation of these soils. Because all pore spaces of the soil were already sealed off with precipitated soluble salts; which retarded percolation of leaching water to the soil. Hence, Polymaleic acid was tested under controlled pot leaching under laboratory condition. The treatments were control (leaching with water only), 10, 20, 30 and 40ml polymaleic acid per kilogram of soil. Each treatment was replicated four times. As a result of leaching and polymaleic acid application to the saline - sodic soil, the ECe of the soil was was drastically reduced as the rate of polymaleic acid rate was increased. At the end of leaching, soluble cation and anions were also drastically decreased as compared to the control treatment. Hence, polymaleic acid soil conditioner could be used as an amendment for reclamation of high saline - sodic soils.