Tóth, T. 2011. Soil variability as reflected by the factors of salt accumulation. Agrokémia és Talajtan. 60. Supplementum. pp. 87-98.

Abstract

Soil salt accumulation factors were characterized and analysed on the basis of on-site examinations at 67 points of a 2.5×2.5 km area in the Nagykunság region of Hungary. The aim of the study was to distinguish homogeneous patches, which differed from each other and on which the numerical simulation of salt accumulation could be tested.
It was confirmed that the higher the soil surface lay, the greater was the depth of the groundwater table below the area. The salt content of the soil layers above the groundwater table was directly proportional to the salt content (electrical conductivity) of the groundwater.
Using the “Quick Cluster” algorithm four groups could be distinguished in the multidimensional space of the variables. The most important variables in distinguishing the groups from the point of view of salt accumulation were the depth of the groundwater table, the elevation above sea level and the salt content of the 50–60 cm layer. The groups were quite distinct on the area map and were used to predict salt accumulation by means of numerical simulation.