Fertility and Mineralogy of an Aridisol Soil under Agroecological Management

ABSTRACT

Salinity is one of the most limiting environmental factors of crop production in the world. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships between soil agroecological management, mineralogy and fertility of an Aridisol soil in Atacama Desert. Studies were conducted in field and controlled conditions. Four zones were selected for the study. Zone 1. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silvopastoral system and organic fertilizers for 3 years. Zone 2. Integrated soil recovery system, subsoiling, organic fertilizers, and crop rotation for 8 years. Zone 3. Permanent cultivation of artichoke (Cinara sculemus L.) 3 years of management. Four experiments were realized in semi-controlled conditions, randomized block design. The experiment 1: 8 treatments and 5 replications, zeolite levels and combinations with organic fertilizers. Experiment 2 with zeolite levels, using a soil with established alfalfa for 3 years, 4 treatments and 5 replications. Experiments 3 and 4 were with non-saline sodic soil. The experiment 3 was established with levels of gypsum and experiment 4 with Zeolite levels, both with 4 treatments and 4 replicates. The alfalfa/organic matter/zeolite combinations produced changes in the soil from slightly sodic to non-sodic. Gypsum reduced the Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) and pH of non-saline sodic soils.

KEYWORDS:

• Alfalfa
• gypsum
• organic matter
• saline soil
• zeolite

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Atacama [DIUDA 22304, DIUDA 22321];