Different agro-ecosystems face distinct soil challenges. The sections below summarise major problematic soil types, their causes, impacts and common management strategies.
1. Saline, Sodic & Saline-Sodic Soils
Key features: High soluble salts (saline), high exchangeable sodium (sodic), or both (saline-sodic). Saline soils show elevated electrical conductivity (ECe > 4 dS/m). Sodic soils have poor structure, low infiltration and high ESP/SAR.
Where: Common in arid and irrigated regions.
Problems: Osmotic stress, reduced germination, poor aeration and infiltration, nutrient imbalances.
Management: Leaching with good-quality water, gypsum (or other Ca amendments) to replace Na+, improved drainage, and planting salt-tolerant species.
Where: Common in arid and irrigated regions.
Problems: Osmotic stress, reduced germination, poor aeration and infiltration, nutrient imbalances.
Management: Leaching with good-quality water, gypsum (or other Ca amendments) to replace Na+, improved drainage, and planting salt-tolerant species.
2. Acidic Soils
Key features: Low pH (commonly <5.5–6.0); aluminium (Al³⁺) and manganese (Mn²⁺) toxicity may occur.
Where: Humid, highly leached regions and some agricultural areas (significant area in parts of India and many tropical regions).
Problems: Root inhibition, reduced nutrient availability (P, Mo), lower yields.
Management: Liming (agricultural lime, dolomite), addition of organic matter, use of acid-tolerant crops, correct fertilizer management.
Where: Humid, highly leached regions and some agricultural areas (significant area in parts of India and many tropical regions).
Problems: Root inhibition, reduced nutrient availability (P, Mo), lower yields.
Management: Liming (agricultural lime, dolomite), addition of organic matter, use of acid-tolerant crops, correct fertilizer management.
3. Alkaline / Calcareous Soils
Key features: High pH (>8), presence of carbonates (CaCO₃) or sodium carbonates.
Problems: Poor micronutrient availability (Fe, Zn), phosphorus fixation, poor structure in some cases.
Management: Incorporation of organic matter, use of nutrient chelates or foliar sprays to correct micronutrient deficiencies, careful choice of crops and cropping systems.
Problems: Poor micronutrient availability (Fe, Zn), phosphorus fixation, poor structure in some cases.
Management: Incorporation of organic matter, use of nutrient chelates or foliar sprays to correct micronutrient deficiencies, careful choice of crops and cropping systems.
4. Physical Constraints (Texture, Compaction, Crusting, Stoniness)
Clayey soils: prone to waterlogging, poor aeration and compaction.
Sandy soils: low water & nutrient retention, prone to erosion and leaching.
Hardpan / subsoil compaction: limits root penetration and water movement.
Surface crusting & stoniness: reduces emergence and workable depth.
Management: Subsoiling or deep ripping for hardpan, organic amendments, cover crops, reduced tillage and mulching to protect structure and increase water retention.
Sandy soils: low water & nutrient retention, prone to erosion and leaching.
Hardpan / subsoil compaction: limits root penetration and water movement.
Surface crusting & stoniness: reduces emergence and workable depth.
Management: Subsoiling or deep ripping for hardpan, organic amendments, cover crops, reduced tillage and mulching to protect structure and increase water retention.
5. Erosion & General Degradation
Causes: Water & wind erosion, deforestation, intensive tillage and poor residue management.
Problems: Loss of topsoil, decline in organic matter, poor structure and reduced crop resilience.
Management: Conservation tillage / no-till, contour farming, terracing, vegetative barriers, cover crops and agroforestry.
Problems: Loss of topsoil, decline in organic matter, poor structure and reduced crop resilience.
Management: Conservation tillage / no-till, contour farming, terracing, vegetative barriers, cover crops and agroforestry.
6. Serpentine & Acid Sulfate Soils
Serpentine soils: ultramafic origin, low fertility, high heavy metals (Ni, Cr), shallow.
Acid sulfate soils: found in coastal/marshy areas; when drained/exposed they oxidize producing strong acidity and release toxic metals.
Management: Avoid exposure/drainage of acid sulfate soils, careful land use planning, phytoremediation or planting tolerant species where possible.
Acid sulfate soils: found in coastal/marshy areas; when drained/exposed they oxidize producing strong acidity and release toxic metals.
Management: Avoid exposure/drainage of acid sulfate soils, careful land use planning, phytoremediation or planting tolerant species where possible.
Summary Table
| Soil Type | Key Issues | Typical Areas | Common Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saline / Sodic | High salts / high Na, poor structure | Arid & irrigated lands | Gypsum (Ca), leaching, drainage, salt-tolerant crops |
| Acidic | Low pH, Al/Mn toxicity, nutrient imbalance | Humid & leached regions | Liming, organics, tolerant cultivars |
| Alkaline / Calcareous | High pH, micronutrient deficiency | Calcareous parent material regions | Organic matter, chelates, foliar feeds |
| Physical constraints | Compaction, waterlogging, low water retention | Varies | Subsoiling, cover crops, mulches |
| Erosion / Degradation | Topsoil loss, structural decline | Intensively farmed areas | No-till, terraces, vegetative barriers, cover crops |
| Serpentine / Acid sulfate | Toxic metals / extreme acidity | Specialized geological/coastal zones | Drainage control, tolerant plants, avoid oxidation |
Quick takeaway: Soil problems differ by climate, geology and land use — from salinity in irrigated deserts to acidity in humid tropics. Solutions combine chemical amendments (lime, gypsum), physical fixes (drainage, subsoiling) and agroecological practices (cover crops, conservation tillage).
Sources checked:
- Problem Soils and their Management (TNAU Agritech PDF).
- Managing Salt-affected Soils — Oregon State University Extension.
- USDA/NRCS guidance on saline & sodic soil management.
- Lime use for soil acidity management (University of Nebraska / extension literature).
- Managing saline and sodic soils — Utah State / extension resources.
