The Sodic and alkaline soil section of the Soil Quality Knowledge Base explains how sodicity and alkalinity damage soil structure leading to compaction of surface and subsurface soils. This compaction affects crop growth. The webpage includes a video, Alkaline soils: the essentials, in which David Hall talks about sodicity and salinity and how they can be managed [1:56]. The webpage also discusses the factors that affect clay dispersion. A second video, Dispersion of clay plates by sodium in soil, contrasts how sodium ions and calcium ions in solution affect the clay plates that make up clay particles [3:08]. While the content focuses on Western Australia, the information is applicable to other Australian regions.#
This is a carefully curated database of important soil resources. The data base is not exhaustive but rather a library of the resources we believe are the most useful for the audience. Each resource has been added after careful consideration against our selection criteria, including but not limited to its scientific validity, accessibility, and readability. The library generally does not include most academic research papers but may include some open-source papers written in accessible English.
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SSA reminds users that these resources are a guide only. Our understanding of soil science is improving continuously so it is important to check the suitability of the information for your purpose with an appropriately qualified professional such as a Registered Soil Professional or a Certified Professional Soil ScientistÂ
