Effects of long-term use of sodic water irrigation, amendments and crop residues on soil properties and crop yields in rice-wheat cropping system in a calcareous soil

► In calcareous soils, decline in crop yields due to sodic water irrigation in the initial years was less pronounced compared to later years. ► Salinity stress in addition to sodicity stress was more evident in rice than wheat. ► Organic materials can be effective in mobilizing Ca2+ from CaCO3 resulting in improving soil properties and increasing crop. ► We conclude that in calcareous soils, organic amendments alone can be useful in ameliorating long-term sodic-water irrigation and sustaining crop the productivity of rice-wheat system thereby reducing the dependency on gypsum.