Use alkaine water and Saline soils for cultivation
(Muhammad Naqushband, Faisalabad)
Development of VC-10
Pakistan is facing the serious problem of water logging and salinity. Gypsum is
used for reclamation of sodic soils: sulphuric acid is used as soil reclament
for the calcareous soils and for irrigation water having high bicarbonates but
the hazards to personnel have restricted its use. Gypsum is normally recommended
as soil reclament, which is slow reactive in nature and also contains
carbonates, which is not good for alkaline soil health.
NFC Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research (IE&FR) carried out series
of experiments to handle sulphuric acid safely. Results revealed that a new
liquid soil reclaiming agent could be developed which is based on sulphuric acid
and organic-N.
This liquid fertilizer can greatly reduce the corrosive action on human tissue
without neutralizing any of the acidity of sulphuric acid. It is based on
sulphuric acid and urea. The chemical bonding of these compounds results in a
product with excellent properties, which can offer the grower a tool that can be
used as an acidifying amendment, as well as, a nitrogen fertilizer (Anonymous,
2001). Characteristics of product are given below:-
Physical Properties
Matter state = Liquid
Density = 1.6-1.7
pH = Less than 1
- Corrosive nature
- Tolerable to human tissues. A mild skin irritation may occur after prolonged
skin contact.
- Harmful if contact with a cut or sore on skin.
Chemical Analysis
pH = Less than 1
organic-Nitrogen = 8-10 %
Sulphur = 28-30 %
Safety
- Use plenty of water to flush the effected area.
- Protect eyes with goggles. Contact to doctor at the earliest.
- Recommended to wear rubber protection equipment i.e., foot wear, gloves etc.
Pleasing Benefits of VC-10
- VC-10 is acidifying amendment, as well as a nitrogen fertilizer.
- VC-10 virtually climate the corrosive action on human tissues with minimal
neutralizing of acidity of sulphur based acid (Anonymous, 2001).
- It is recognized as a fast, effective soil reclaiming agent for sodic soils.
- It reacts immediately with no free time in the soil.
- It can be broadcasted on the soil as a pre-plant application, injected as a
side dressing application, water run and can be used in drip irrigation systems.
- It can readily mix with phosphoric acid and liquid zinc sulphate etc.
- It can be used to control high bicarbonates/ carbonates in irrigation water
(Anonymous, 2001).
Agronomic Interests
VC-10 adjust the high water pH and high bi-carbonates, thereby adjusting the
soil pH and eliminating toxic Sodium level and high salts in soil. The regular
application of VC-10 will bring the water alkalinity down to a more acceptable
average pH of between 6.5 and 6.8. By lowering the water pH, the soil pH falls
for a instant accordingly, and the nutrients bound at high pH range in the soil
become soluble (Anonymous, 2001).
Demand of VC-10
VC-10 is highly acidic and also provides spoon feeding of nitrogen. Keeping in
view the importance of VC-10, it was introduced to progressive farmers. They
requested for its supply (5.3 tonnes). VC-10 was prepared at Lab. Scale and
supplied to different progressive farmers for field trials. The results so far
achieved are very encouraging.
Economics
By using of VC-10 up to 50 % of Urea / CAN saving is confirmed.
For More Information and details contact:
Muhammad Naqushband
92-03006303298