ABSTRACT
Soluble salts in saline soils are salt forms with high solubility that exist (a) in the soil solution, especially under irrigated conditions; and/or (b) as precipitated salts under drier soil conditions, where they can easily dissolve as soil moisture increases (Table 2.1). Soluble salts in the soil can induce direct stresses (a) by action of the total of all soluble salts, that is, total soluble salts or total salinity, which is the sum of primarily Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, SO4, HCO3, NO3, and CO3; (b) as individual ions that may accumulate in soil or plant tissues to the point of becoming toxic to plant roots or shoot tissue (Na, Cl, and B) or cause other problems (SO4, HCO3, and CO3); and (c) as individual nutrient ion concentrations or imbalances of ions affecting nutrition, such as Ca, Mg, K, P, N, SO4, Mn, Mo, Zn, and Na. These three salinity stresses are all related to soluble salts and are normally present at the same time on a site. As total soluble salts accumulate, the potential for individual specic ion toxicities and nutritional imbalances also increases. While these individual salinity stresses often occur together, each problem must be assessed individually by soil, tissue, and water tests and individual management strategies selected as part of an overall best management practice (BMP) plan and precision turfgrass management (PTM) strategy (Carrow et al., 2009a, 2009b). Additionally, secondary stresses (such as increased disease pressure when environmental conditions are favorable) may evolve from one or more of the above direct stresses.
