Gypsum benefits
And importance of its application
Gypsum is one of the first fertilizers used by the farmers throughout the world. In the some places it has been used as a fertilizer for about 250 years. Gypsum has moderate solubility in water (2.5-2.6 g/L). Its solubility is much greater compared to compounds. such as lime but much lower in comparison with substances including chlorine and calcium.
The moderate solubility of gypsum makes it possible to satisfy the needs of the plants for the calcium and sulfur. by the applying the gypsum to the soil. Moreover, its moderate solubility prevents the soil salinization when it is applied to soil. whereas provision of these nutrients, or other necessary nutrients, by applying more soluble fertilizers will cause soil salinity.
Agricultural gypsum effects on agricultural soils
The effects of gypsum on agricultural soils can be divided into three groups. (1) its effects on soil physical properties. (2) its effects, as a fertilizer, on plant nutrition. and (3) its effects as an amendment for problematic soils (sodic soils, acid soils and clay soils). The main goals in agricultural operations are management of the available soil. and water and the air in soil in a way that plant roots can reach their maximum genetic growth potential.
Under these conditions, they can absorb the largest amounts of water and nutrients. and hence crops will be able to produce their maximum yield per hectare. Consequently, desirable soil physical properties are one of the most important factors in obtaining the maximum possible crop yields. If soil physical properties are not suitable for plant growth. use of fertilizers and nutrient solutions will have little effect on crop yield.
Although even a small change made in the soil physical properties increases the efficiency of the chemical fertilizers. this important point is often ignored by the farmers. who often seek to increase yield only by applying the fertilizers and nutrient solutions to the soil. Gypsum is one of the important amendments for soil physical properties and substantially increases crop yield.
