This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of application of different levels of gypsum requirement on physical characteristics of saline-sodic soils of the region of semiarid of Pernambuco. The study was conducted in the Laboratory of Soil Mechanics and Waste Utilization of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco. Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with a factorial arrangement of two soils (S1 and S2) and five levels of gypsum requirement (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250%) determined by the method of Schoonover M-1, incorporated in the first 12.5 cm of the soil column, with five replications. The use of increasing levels of gypsum for the correction of saline-sodic soils provided greater water infiltration rate of the soil. The level of 100% of the gypsum requirement promoted lower degree of dispersion and more stability of soils aggregates. During the experiment it was observed that from the level of 150% of gypsum requirement occurred loss of colloids (mineral and/or organic).
sodicity; aggregate stability; infiltration rate
