Soil salinity expressed by electrical
conductivity is a threat to crop production. The study aims were to establish
relationships of electrical conductivity with its relevant soil properties, and
analyze variability of soil salinity in the coastal zone of Bangladesh. A total
of 150 geo-referenced saline soil samples from three coastal districts (Khulna,
Satkhira and Bhola) of Bangladesh were analyzed for electrical conductivity of
saturated paste extract (ECe), salt cations and other soil properties related
to salinity. Statistical and geostatistical analyses were done as required.
Moderate to strong significant regression relationships (R2=0.42 to
0.94) were found between ECe and salt cations (ECe=43.12*Na2-46.36*Na+13.97;
ECe=12.26*K-2.5;ECe=1.16*Ca-1.97; ECe=0.32*Mg2-1.60*Mg+3.53) of the
soils. On the contrary, weak relationships (R2=0.05 to 0.21) were
found between ECe and other soil properties (ECe=4.41*organic carbon-0.56;
ECe=-1.71*Txw (soil texture)+3.98;ECe=0.35*cation exchange capacity-1.98;
ECe=0.06*specific surface area-0.55). Khulna soils (CV=65.99%) showed lower
statistical variations while Satkhira (CV=97%) and Bhola (CV=105%) soils showed
higher statistical variations for ECe. In contrast, Khulna, Satkhira and Bhola
soils showed strong, moderate and weak spatial dependency for ECe,
respectively. Interpolated spatial distribution maps of ECe showed variations
in individual districts of study areas. The findings would assist soil
scientists or farm managers to understand and/or manage saline soils, specially
the soils of coastal zone of Bangladesh.
Primary Language | English |
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Journal Section | Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | April 1, 2019 |
Published in Issue | Year 2019 Volume: 8 Issue: 2 |