ABSTRACT

Saline soil is defined as one containing sufficient soluble salts to adversely affect the growth

of most crop plants (Soil Science Society of America 2001). Soil salinization is a widespread

limitation to agricultural production in dryland and irrigated soils throughout the world. Soil

salinity reduces crop growth because depression of the osmotic potential of the soil solution

limits water uptake by the plant (Corwin and Lesch 2003). Salinity may also cause specific

ion toxicity or nutrient imbalances, and soil permeability and tilth may deteriorate if

excessive amounts of Na accumulate on the soil’s cation-exchange complex.