Salinity Remediation

High salinity in the soil is very harmful to all crops and can even affect survival if salinity levels are high enough. the USDA estimates that in the United States yield reductions due to salinity occur on an estimated 30% of all irrigated land. World wide, crop production is limited by the effects of salinity on about 50% of the irrigated land area.

Salinity in soil becomes a problem when the total amount of salts which accumulate in the root zone is high enough to negatively affect plant growth. Excess soluble salts in the root zone restrict plant roots from withdrawing water from the surrounding soil, effectively reducing the plant available water (Western Fertilizer Handbook, 1995; Bauder, 2001; Bauder and Brock, 2001; Hanson et al., 1999; USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2002). Basically, water is both held tighter to the soil in saline environments and is also less available for plant uptake due to osmotic forces. This leads to reduced water uptake and increased plant stress.

In addition to the effect of salinity on reducing plant available water, salinity can have a direct toxic effect on plants. Specific ions, such as chlorine, sodium, or boron, may have a toxic effect on plant roots and may stunt or stop their growth (Saskatchewan, 1987; Barbour et al., 1998). Chlorine accumulation in leaf tissues can lead to desiccation. Sodium accumulation can lead to dehydration, reduced turgor, and cell death. Cell membrane integrity can be reduced as sodium displaces calcium, and water and nutrient uptake can subsequently be negatively impacted. Sodium can also reduce protein synthesis and alter hormonal activity.

Much research has been done with respect to the affects of salinity in the soil and more information can be found at the USDA website and Montana State University, or contact us.

Plants in high salt or sodium soils may require more than twice as much water as otherwise needed, however increased irrigation may be increasing the problems as many irrigation water supplies contain a substantial amount of salt. For example, a water source with an EC of 1.0 mmho.cm, a quality suitable for irrigation of most crops, contains nearly 1 Ton of salt in every acre-foot of water applied.

Our products help to remediate soil salinity and reduce compaction and sodium levels in the soil and contribute to the rebuilding of the soil which will improve root and shoot growth in addition to plant water uptake ability.