Characterization of salt affected soils of Ongole division, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh

Studies conducted in salt affected soils of Ongole division, Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh. indicated that the pH was neutral to strongly alkaline (pH 6.5 to 9.1) in reaction and ECe were higher in surface soils (37.0 dS m-1) than sub-surface soils (21.3 dS m-1). Texturally they are loamy sand, clay loam, and clay. The organic carbon content of soils was low (0.42 %) and the soils of the region were calcareous (6.92 %). The cation exchange capacity (CEC) ranged from 9.50 to 79.70 with a mean of 48.17 c mol (p+) kg-1 of soil and the exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ were above critical limit. The exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) ranged from 1.69 to 48.99 with a mean of 11.57. Studies indicated a significant and positive correlation between CEC and clay content (r= 0.5942**), exchangeable calcium showed significant and positive correlation with CEC (r= 0.5121**) and clay (r= 0.2206*) and exchangeable sodium also had highly significant and positive correlation with ESP (r= 0.6463**). These soils can be reclaimed with incorporation of gypsum or pyrites, organic manure and better management practices that decreased the ESP of soils.