Modifications in chemical and physico-chemical characteristics of a Low Humic Gley soil under flooding and after drainage

Abstract

The alterations in the chemical and physico-chemical characteristics of a Low Humic Gley soil induced by flooding and after drainage were studied. The pH of the soil solution increased with flooding from 6.0 to 7.0 but decreased with drainage of the soil and presented inconsistent values when drainage was completed. The concentration of in the soil solution increased with flooding, from 1 ppm to 8 ppm, but decreased to nearly 0 ppm with drainage. The electrical conductivity of the soil solution showed an inconsistent trend throughout the experiment. The solubility of Fe, Mn and Zn increased with flooding whereas that of the Cu diminished. After drainage the extractable Fe, Mn and Zn as well as the concentration of Fe and Mn in the soil solution decreased nearly to the initial values and the extractable Cu increased beyond the initial levels. The available P, soil Mg and soluble Ca and Mg increased with flooding but decreased with drainage, whereas soil Ca and K, and soluble K decreased with flooding and increased after drainage.