Managing Saline and Sodic Soils and Irrigation Water

Authors

Burdette Barker, Utah State UniversityFollow
Grant Cardon, Utah State UniversityFollow
Matt Yost, Utah State UniversityFollow
Melanie Stock, Utah State UniversityFollow
Earl Creech, Utah State UniversityFollow
Jody Gale, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publisher

Utah State University Extension

Publication Date

2-29-2024

First Page

1

Last Page

15

Abstract

Salt is an important factor in plant and soil management. Excessive salt concentrations in soil can cause water to be less available to plants because of the osmotic forces of salt in the soil water. Excessive concentrations of different ions can also be toxic to plants. In agricultural soils and irrigation water, salts are typically described in two ways: (1) total salt concentration or salinity, and (2) sodicity, or the concentration of sodium relative to other cations (positively charged atoms or compounds). Understanding the effect of both total salinity and sodicity on plants and soils, along with management and reclamation practices, can improve crop yield and the optimal use of crop inputs.

Recommended Citation

Barker, B., Cardon, G., Yost, M., Stock, M., Creech, E., & Gale, J. (2023). Managing saline and sodic soils and irrigation water. Utah State University Extension.