Phytodesalination and chemical and organic conditioners to recover the chemical properties of saline‐sodic soil

Abstract Semiarid regions’ soils have been degraded by salinization. The use of chemical conditioners makes this management very expensive. As an alternative, organic conditioners can be used with plants adapted to the salts and phytoremediation, such as Atriplex nummularia Lindl. This study aimed to evaluate the use of phytoremediation and chemical and organic conditioners in the recovery of chemical attributes of a saline‐sodic soil in Brazil Northeast. A study was carried out by testing A. nummularia with the application of chemical (gypsum and anionic polymer) and organic conditioners (bovine and sheep manure), and a control treatment. The experiment was conducted for 18 mo with soil sampling at 6, 12, and 18 mo. The treatments did not modify pH but were effective in reducing the electrical conductivity. All treatments reduced the sodium adsorption ratio and the exchangeable sodium percentage. The use of A. nummularia and organic conditioners were as efficient as the use of chemical conditioners to improve soil chemical attributes, suggesting the use of these techniques in the management of soil degradation by salinization. Our study also suggests that local seasonal patterns and physical characteristics of soils influence the effectiveness of Atriplex and conditioners on the extraction and dynamics of salts. Phytoremediation may be complementary to the use of organic conditioners produced on the farm, making management more sustainable.