Influence of Distillery Spentwash on the Physico – Chemical Properties of Calcareous Sodic Soil (Calcic natrustalfs)

Spentwash is an acidic liquid, rich in organic carbon, Ca, Mg, S and K with considerable amounts of N, P and micronutrients. The composition of spentwash indicated the scope of utilizing it as an amendment for the reclamation of sodic soil and as a cheaper source of plant nutrients. An incubation study was conducted to assess the changes brought in the properties of soil after the application of spentwash at 0, 55, 110 and 225 ml kg^-1 soil. The samples were analysed for various physico chemical properties such as pH, EC, CaCO₃, CEC, ESP, SAR and inorganic carbon contents. Application of spentwash @ 55,110 and 225 ml kg^-1 soil were found equally effective in reducing the pH of air dried soil to = 8.3 during the incubation period of 60 days. The EC increased progressively and significantly with increasing rates of spentwash application. The ESP decreased from 32.3 to < 14 and SAR from 11.7 to < 8.0 for all the levels of spentwash. The addition of organic matter through spentwash enhanced the organic carbon content of the soil from 0.24 per cent to 0.62 per cent thus increasing the availability of nutrients to the soil.