Biogeochemical Characterizations and Reclamation Strategies of Saline Sodic Soil in Northeastern China

Abstract Soil salinity and sodicity is considered one of the most import impediments to agricultural development in Northeast China. The contents of TP and TK decrease with soil depth and high coefficients of variation were found in TOC, AN, and AP. Mean EC in the 0–50 cm soil layers ranged from 0.61 to 0.89 dS m −1 and the average soluble ion concentrations in the topsoil (0–10 cm) were approximately 11.38 mmol L −1 for Na + , 1.21 mmol L −1 for Ca 2+ , and 0.40 mmol L −1 for Mg 2+ . High SAR existed in the layers 10–50 cm, indicating the studied soil was bearing low salinity in the top layer and high sodic layer in the subsurface. The soil presented strong alkali reactions all through the profile with pH over 9.5. To improve and utilize saline sodic soil rationally, several strategies were put forward based on long‐term field studies and demonstration works. The results implied that ameliorating with sand, applying farm yard manure, regenerating salt tolerant grasses and leaching with groundwater, and growing rice were effective measures for improving physical and chemical qualities of saline sodic soil.