MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO RECLAIM SALT AFFECTED SOILS :- A REVIEW

Abstract

The salt content of the soil is known as soil salinity, and the process of increasing the salt content is known as salinization. Salts are found naturally in soils and water. Natural processes such as mineral weathering or the gradual withdrawal of an ocean both can cause salination. It can also occur as a result of man-made processes such as irrigation and road salt. are a naturally occurring component in soils and water. Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and Cl are the ions responsible for salination. these salts are flushed or leached out of the soil by drainage water in areas with adequate precipitation. Salts are deposited by dust and precipitation in addition to mineral weathering. Salts can build up in dry areas, resulting in naturally saline soils. The addition of salts to irrigation water can increase the salinity of soils. Irrigation management that provides adequate drainage water to leach added salts from the soil can help to prevent salt accumulation. Soil salinization has a negative impact on plant development and contributes to land degradation. Saline earth reduces agricultural productivity, worsens farmer well-being, and worsens the region's economic situation. Early management of soil salinity aids in its reversal. However, due to the negative effect of salinity on soil properties, heavy contamination results in the complete loss of farmlands and desertification. Soil salinization has a negative impact on plant development and contributes to land degradation. Controlling soil salinity and reclaiming salinized agricultural land are two aspects of soil salinity control. The goal of soil salinity control is to prevent soil degradation caused by salination and to reclaim already salty (saline) soils. Soil reclamation is also referred to as soil improvement, rehabilitation, remediation, recovery, or amelioration. Irrigation is the most common man-made cause of salinization. Irrigation water from rivers or groundwater contains salts that remain in the soil after the water evaporates. The primary method of controlling soil salinity is to allow 10- 20% of irrigation water to leach into the soil, which will then be drained and discharged via an appropriate drainage system. Because the salt concentration of drainage water is typically 5 to 10 times that of irrigation water, salt export equals salt import and does not accumulate.