NACL SALINIZATION RESISTANCE OF SODDY-PODZOLIC SOIL IN THE MIDDLE TAIGA

Abstract

The problem of soil salinization is acute worldwide, this leading to the withdrawal of large areas of land from agricultural use. In the territory of the Verkhnekamskoe Potash Deposit, soddy-podzolic soils of eluvial landscapes are subject to salinization due to accidents, windblown dust from salt dumps, and drainage from waste storage facilities. The study assesses the resistance of soddy-podzolic soil to sodium chloride contamination using phytotoxicity testing. The height and biomass of two test species (garden cress and common oat) as well as the photosynthetic apparatus of oats were examined. The results showed a marked decrease in the height and biomass of the test species following the addition of NaCl to the soil. The higher the contamination dose, the lower the height and biomass relative to the control values. Toxicity was observed at NaCl doses above 0.3 % for garden cress and at 0.5 % and above – for oats. A decrease in soil acidity was noted with increasing the sodium chloride dose. The addition of NaCl at different doses had no substantial effect on nutrient (NPK) content. Salinization led to a higher pigment content in oats. The threshold NaCl concentration for soddy-podzolic soil was found to be 0.3 %. These findings can inform the development of recommendations for establishing maximum permissible concentrations at soil salinization.