Abstract
In PVC pipes (40 X 5 cm), 30 em columns using silt loam soil samples were prepared and bulk density of 1.35 g cm-3 was achieved. Canal water (control) and Ca concentrations of 6, 10 and 14 me L-l were created in canal water by dissolving CaS04.2H20 equivalent to 100% GR of 3.5 kg soil, filled in each PVC pipe. The columns were leached under submergence and leachates collected at different times, and post-experiment soil samples were analysed. The results showed that leaching with canal water and Ca concentration of 6 me L-l practically stopped after the second leachate. However, with 10 and 14 me Ca L-l, the volume of leachate, removal of TSS, Ca, Na and Mg (me 24 hr") increased with time. All the treatments lowered EC. and pHs to safe limits while the SAR decreased with Ca addition only. However, SAR values were slightly higher in the lower half of the columns than the upper ones. The Ca concentration of 10 me L-l appeared optimum for the reclamation of this soil.
