Effect of Total Electrolyte Concentration and Sodium Adsorption Ratio on Swelling Percentage of Salt Affected Soils in Purna Valley of Maharashtra, India

The present investigation was carried out in the Purna valley of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra to study the effect of total electrolyte concentration and sodium adsorptionratio on swelling percentage of salt affected soils in Purna valley of Maharashtra. The sampling was done in the month of October, 2013. The soil samples were taken from two sites; at the depth of 0-20 cm (surface soil) and 20- 40 cm (sub-surface soil) respectively. For equilibration of soil samples, the synthetic waters were prepared with 4 levels of total electrolyte concentrations (TEC) i.e.10, 20,40,80 meL-1 with three levels of SAR viz., 5, 10 and 15 mmol1/2L-1/2. The increase in swelling percentage was due to the increase in SAR, ESP, levels and also decreases with increasing total electrolyte concentration. The swelling percentage was found to decrease by 27.74 % with increase in TEC levels from 10 to 80meL-1 similarly the swelling percentage was found to increase about 8.94 to 7.81% respectively with increase in SAR levels from 5 to 15 of the equilibrating solution.