Biomass and bio-energy production of ten multipurpose tree species planted in sodic soils of indo-gangetic plains

Ten multipurpose tree species, Terminalia arjuna, Azadirechta indica, Prosopis juliflora, Pongamia pinnata, Casuarina equisetifolia, Prosopis alba, Acacia nilotica, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Pithecellobium dulce and Cassia siamea, were raised in a monoculture tree cropping system on the sodic soil of Gangetic alluvium in north India （26° 47° N： 80°46′ E） for 10 years to evaluate the biomass and bio-energy production. The soil was compact, sodic and impervious to water associated with nutrient deficiency or toxicity. Maximum plant height was recorded with E. tereticornis followed by C.equisetifolia and P. juliflora. A. nilotica performed better than the other species in terms of diameter at breast height （DBH） with a basal area of 13.04 m^2·ha^-1, followed by P. juliflora and C. equisetifolia. P. juliflora and A. nilotica produced nearly similar biomass of 56.50 and 50.75 Mg·ha^-1, respectively, at 10 years; whereas, A. indica, P. pinnata, C. siamea and P. alba did not perform well. P. juliflora scored maximum in net biomass production and nutrient demand. Nutrient （N, P, K, Ca, and Mg） concentrations were higher in leaf component of P. juliflora. However, in woody components, there was little variation between the species. N removal for production of one ton of wood was lowest in Acacia nilotica, P in T. arjuna, K in P. dulce and Ca and Mg in P. juliflora. P. juliflora gave the highest energy production of 1267.75 GJ.ha^-1 followed by A. nilotica with 1206 GJ.ha^-1 and the lowest ofA. indica （520.66 GJ.ha^-1）.

Genesis and Behavior of Sodic Soils in Humid Climates

Sodic soils are typically located in semi-arid to arid climates. However, sodic soils in continental humid climates are rare. As with sodic soils in dry climates, sodic soils in wetlands pose management difficulties for agriculture, forestry, or wild-life habitat. The typical practice of gypsum application is problematic given inability to provide drainage. Natraqualfs located in southeastern Missouri present an acid argillic horizon superimposed on a natric horizon, where the exchangeable sodium percentage and an alkaline reaction are characteristic attributes. Ferrolysis is an active soil process that is slowly degrading the natric horizon because of exchangeable Al3+ and H+ generation and re-stabilization of the soil structure, permitting leaching of the sodium.

Carbon stock estimation in halophytic wooded savannas of Uruguay:An ecosystem approach

Savannas constitute a mixture of trees and shrub patches with a more continuous herbaceous understory.The contribution of this biome to the soil organic carbon(SOC)and above-ground biomass(AGB)carbon(C)stock globally is significant.However,they are frequently subjected to land use changes,promoting increases in CO_(2) emissions.In Uruguay,subtropical wooded savannas cover around 100,000 ha,of which approximately 28%is circumscribed to sodic soils(i.e.,subtropical halophytic wooded savannas).Nevertheless,there is little background about the contribution of each ecosystem component to the C stock as well as site-specific allometric equations.The study was conducted in 5 ha of subtropical halophytic wooded savannas of the national protected area Esteros y Algarrobales del Rio Uruguay.This work aimed to estimate the contribution of the main ecosystem components(e.g.,soil,trees,shrubs,and herbaceous plants)to the C stock.Site-specific allometric equations for the most frequent tree species and shrub genus were fitted based on basal diameter(BD)and total height(H).The fitted equations accounted for between 77%and 98%of the aerial biomass variance of Netuma affinis and Vachellia caven.For shrubs(Baccharis sp.),the adjusted equation accounted for 86%of total aerial biomass.C stock for the entire system was 116.71±11.07 Mg·ha^(-1),of which 90.7%was allocated in the soil,8.3%in the trees,0.8%in the herbaceous plants,and 0.2%in the shrubs.These results highlight the importance of subtropical halophytic wooded savannas as C sinks and their relevance in the mitigation of global warming under a climate change scenario.

Review of Sodic Soil Reclamation with a Snapshot of Current Research Activity

For centuries, reclamation of sodic soils has been an essential part of cropping practices in several parts of the world. Parallel to increasing population, the need for new cropland constantly re-evaluates land suitability concepts. Therefore, the importance of sodic soils as potential croplands is increasing worldwide. Although theoretically farmers can choose from a wide variety of reclamation options, according to profitability, business plans, and human and financial resources, in practice, few reclamation methods are applied at large scale. This article touches on the early history, 20th Century intensive research, and current trends of sodic soil reclamation. New approaches such as leaching, chemical amendments, addition of organic material, and biological and microbial improvements are discussed, and also brand-new approaches are reviewed. The early history is reviewed using historical books, the achievements of the last hundred years using basic technical literature, mostly books, and the current approaches of our time with fresh publications, mostly papers and two very recent conferences published in English.

Remediation of saline–sodic soil with flue gas desulfurization gypsum in a reclaimed tidal flat of southeast China

Salinization and sodicity are obstacles for vegetation reconstruction of coastal tidal flat soils. A study was conducted with flue gas desulfurization（FGD）-gypsum applied at rates of 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 Mg/ha to remediate tidal flat soils of the Yangtze River estuary.Exchangeable sodium percentage（ESP）, exchangeable sodium（ExNa）, p H, soluble salt concentration, and composition of soluble salts were measured in 10 cm increments from the surface to 30 cm depth after 6 and 18 months. The results indicated that the effect of FGD-gypsum is greatest in the 0–10 cm mixing soil layer and 60 Mg/ha was the optimal rate that can reduce the ESP to below 6% and decrease soil p H to neutral（7.0）. The improvement effect was reached after 6 months, and remained after 18 months. The composition of soluble salts was transformed from sodic salt ions mainly containing Na~＋, HCO_3^-＋ CO_3^（2-）and Cl-to neutral salt ions mainly containing Ca^（2＋）and SO_4^（2-）. Non-halophyte plants were survived at 90%. The study demonstrates that the use of FGD-gypsum for remediating tidal flat soils is promising.

Estimating Exchangeable Sodium Percentage from Sodium Adsorption Ratio of Salt-Affected Soil in the Songnen Plain of Northeast China

Soil exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) are commonly used to assess soil sodicity.Correlation between ESP and SAR of saturated pasted extract (SAR e) or of 1:5 (m:m) mixture soil to water (SAR 1:5) has been documented to predict ESP from SAR.However limited studies have been undertaken to model soil ESP based on soil SAR in the Songnen Plain,Northeast China.In this study,117 soil samples were used to predict ESP from SAR e and SAR 1:5 of salt-affected soils in western Songnen Plain.Soil ESP was highly related (r 2 > 0.76,P < 0.001) with SAR e and SAR 1:5.ESP of salt-affected soils in the Songnen Plain could be predicted using a logarithmic regression equations of ESP=10.72 · ln(SAR e) 15.36 and ESP=11.44 · ln(SAR 1:5) + 5.48.