field spot won't grow

[hay9uy]

I have a low lying spot in my field that used to have high groundwater (even getting stuck there before the canal was lined).
We have drain lines running year round, and I ripped the area last fall with a Glencoe YB 8400. this spring, the barley failed in that spot (due to a planting mistake, it missed the radishes/turnips)

I think the primary issue is too much alkali in the soil. what can I apply to get rid of the alkali? Has anyone successfully used a product like Salt B Gone for this?

 

[shun.shawn]

Gypsum applications can help displace sodium if that's your main issue, and it's way cheaper than specialty products
My neighbor explained to me once that planting salt tolerant cover crops like barley or tall wheatgrass can pull salts out over time, but it's a slow process

Have you perhaps done a soil test to see what you're actually dealing with? if you can do, it'd be great

 

[Johnyb0y]

before applying anything, you need to test your soil. you need to know the pH (is it high?), EC, and Sodium Adsorption Ratio

 

[Alan]

@hay9uy Definitely start with a proper soil test. pH, EC, and Sodium Adsorption Ratio will tell you exactly what’s going on. If sodium or alkalinity is high, gypsum is usually the most cost-effective way to displace it. Pairing that with salt-tolerant cover crops like barley or tall wheatgrass can help flush salts over time.