Assessment of the ecological condition of salted, acid and alkaline soils by the phytotesting method

Phyto-testing of soils showed the negative effect of adding sodium chloride in an amount of 0.3% and higher, which contributed to the conversion of acidic sod-podzolic soil to the category of toxic soils with a dangerous ecological state. NaCl toxicity was reduced due to neutralization of soil acidity by liming. The combined effects of salts (0.3-0.5% NaCl) and alkalization (pH = 8.2) also caused the soil to become toxic and dangerous. In the zone of salt dumps on the territory of the Verkhnekamsk potassium salt deposit, secondary non-acidic soils, formed over several decades on carbonate and carbonate-free mineral grounds, are exposed to man-caused technogenic salts. Morphometric parameters of the test culture depended on the content of sodium chloride and sulphate in soils. The surface horizons of gray-humus soils have a predominantly satisfactory ecological state. In conditions of accumulation of water-soluble salts (up to 1% and above) extremely toxic solonchaks are formed.