Sodic soils reclamation using vinasses

To evaluate the effect of vínasses on sodic soíls reclamation two experiments were performed in a Typic Pellustert characterized by a very hígh ESP. massive structure and total missing of the capacity to conduce water (HC = O mm/day). High electrolytic concentration waters (like vinasses) applied to soil columns promoted soil aggregation, improved soil structure and, in consecuence, a better hydraulic conductívity was gotten. As the soíl physical propertíes get better Na is leached and replaced by Ca resulting in soil reclamation success. Amount of replacement was related to the solution concentration and to the volume of solution added. Results concluded that the reclamation of a sodic soil depended critícally on the maintenance of a hydraulic conductivity high enough to assure Ca íons to move in the soil to remove exchangeable Na and the consequent leachíng of deep soil layers. Underfíeld conditions it was confirmed that vínasses can be used on the reclamatíon process because they cause changes in the soil permeabilíty like those promoted by high electrolytic concentration waters. Application of 2. 000 tlha of vínasses diluted in water made it possible to recover the hydraulic properties of the studíed soil in a short period of time on the leaching of a great amount of the exchangeable Na ínitially present in the soíl.