Soil Fertility and Nutrient management (1+1)

Salt affected soils?

• All soils contain some amounts of soluble salts. Many of these salts act as a source of essential nutrients for the healthy growth of plants. However, when the quantity of the salts in the soil exceeds a particular limit, the growth, yields and/or quality of most crops is adversely affected depending upon the kind and amount of salt present. According to Central Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, the area of salt affected soils (Soil salinity plus alkalinity) in India is 7421 thousand hectares (approximately).

Soil that contains excess amount of soluble salts such as chlorides, sulphates, carbonates and bicarbonates of calcium, magnesium and sodium so as to impair productivity of crops is called

salt affected soil.