Saline Soil
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Saline Soils  A soil is said to be saline when it has enough of any soluble salt to affect plant growth. Saline soils, (salty soils) can reduce water uptake by plants, restrict root growth, cause marginal burning of the foliage, inhibit flowering, limit seed germination, and reduce fruit and vegetable yields. Irregular bare spots in gardens and uneven crop growth suggest salinity problems. Crop yields may be reduced as much as 25% without any damage being apparent. Salt injury generally is more severe during periods of hot dry weather, when water use is high. Sensitivity to soluble salts differs among plants species/cultivars and also with their state of growth. Seed germination and seedling growth are more sensitive to salt stress than mature plants Factors contributing to saline soils include : 1) Salt naturally accumulates due to limited rainfall to leach the salt out. This condition is typical in arid or semi-arid regions 2) A common sign of saline soils is the accumulation of salts at the soil surface due to limited percolation in compacted and/or clay-ish soils. Soluble salts move with the soil water.
3) Soil amendments such as manure, biosolids, and compost made with manure or biosolids may be high in salt. When using manure or compost made with manure, routinely monitor saline levels.
4) Unwarranted application of fertilizers (such as phosphate or potash) increases the salt level. On soils marginally high in salts, potash fertilizers should be avoided unless a potassium deficiency is identified by soil tests. Placing fertilizer and salty soil amendments too close to seeds or plant roots creates a salt burn of the tender roots. Germination failure or seedling injury can result. It is best to make your own compost and.or use organic soil improvers. Avoid commercial non organic fertilizers. 5) The use of de-icing salts on streets and sidewalks frequently results in high salt levels in adjacent soils. Along roads, salt injury has become a major concern. Highway salts may reach plants in two ways: movement to soil and uptake by plant roots, or movement onto plant stems and foliage through the air as vehicle “splash-back”. 6) Salts deposited on both soil and foliage have high potential to cause plant injury. Highway salts in road-melt runoff is another concern for plants and the wider environment.
7) Damage by pet urine is also a salt problem. Water moves by osmotic pressure from the roots to the high salt concentration in the soil, dehydrating and killing roots Cure- Leaching the soil with water is the most effective method of removing salts from saline soils. It should be applied slowly so amounts do not exceed the ability of the soil to take in water. Avoid using de-icing salts on sidewalks. Consider sand or other abrasive material as an alternative as this will help reduce the saline soil problems. It dry regions where saline soils are typical; consider using plants and landscaping indigenous to your local area.
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