Gypsum can improve the structure of high-sodium soils.
Gypsum, or calcium sulfate, is a mineral that remains after salt water evaporates. A main component of drywall and plaster of Paris, gypsum was first used as a building material by the ancient Egyptians. According to an article published by Michigan State University, Benjamin Franklin was one of the first farmers in the United States to use this white mineral as a soil amendment.
Function
High-sodium soils break down into fine particles that can become compacted. Gypsum replaces the sodium with calcium, which promotes soil aggregation, or clumping.
Benefits
Gypsum improves the aggregation, or structure, of high-sodium soils without changing the pH level of the soil. Improved soil structure promotes plant health by allowing adequate drainage and water circulation. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, gypsum enriches calcium-deficient soil, and acts as a fertilizer by adding sulfur to soil.
Considerations
Gypsum improves soil structure only in high-sodium soils. Do not add gypsum to soils with a pH level of 5.5 or lower, because in acidic soils, gypsum can release aluminum, which is toxic to some plants. According to the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension, you should first add lime to alkalize the soil, and then add gypsum to raise calcium levels.
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