Soil salinity: The invisible threat to your field

Did you know that soil salinity can be a serious obstacle to growing plants?

What is soil salinity?

Salinisation occurs when water-soluble salts build up in the soil to a level that is harmful to plant health. These include not only common salt (NaCl), known as table salt, but also chlorides, carbonates, magnesium and calcium salts, which can limit the availability of water to plants even when moisture appears to be adequate.

Causes of salinity:

Natural factors:

• Arid climates with high temperatures and minimal precipitation contribute to salt accumulation, as water evaporates rapidly, increasing salt concentration and increasing the osmotic pressure of the soil solution.
• Flooding or insufficient drainage, when salts are not washed out due to stagnant water in the field.

Anthropogenic:

• Intensive use of fertilisers, excessive salinity.
• Irrational irrigation and inadequate water supply can increase the risk of salinity.

It affects the ability of plants to absorb water and nutrients, which can lead to lower yields.

How can salinity be diagnosed before it becomes critical?

Here are some key methods:

• Electrical conductivity (EC): A quick and accurate way to measure the level of salts in the soil, as a solution with excessive salt content has a higher conductivity.
• Remote sensing: Satellite imagery can assess salinity over large areas, using SWIR and NIR bands to analyse plant water uptake.
• Ground sensors: These gadgets collect real-time data on salt content, helping to adapt irrigation and fertilisation.

We control salinity: Your action plan

How to maintain field productivity under high salinity?

Strategies to help maintain fertility:

• Condition monitoring: Regular soil and water testing helps to detect salinity in a timely manner.
• Irrigation optimisation: Using good quality water for irrigation reduces the risk of salinity.
• Calcium additives: Gypsum improves soil structure by reducing sodium accumulation. Gypsum replaces sodium in the soil with calcium, improving aeration and drainage.

How to apply plaster:

• It is recommended to apply gypsum in autumn or spring before sowing.
• The dosage depends on the salinity level of the soil, but usually ranges from 2 to 10 tonnes per hectare.

Important!

After applying the gypsum, it is necessary to provide a rinsing regime for the field.

• Growing resistant varieties: Selecting plants that are tolerant of high salt levels, such as alfalfa.

Additional activities:

• Use of mulch and organic materials: Helps retain moisture and reduces evaporation.
• Use of biological fertilisers: Enriches the soil and helps reduce salinity.
• Combination of methods: Integrated management ensures that the field is resistant to salinity.

Use these strategies to keep your farm healthy and productive even in high salinity conditions!

Photo taken from https://doraagri.com