Managing Saline Soil: Leach, Drain, Choose Tolerant Crops

Salinity is one of the quiet limits on irrigated farms: you see stunted, burnt-edged plants and white crusts.

Why it happens

Irrigation water carries salts. When water evaporates or crops take it up, salts stay and build up in the root zone, especially without drainage.

What helps

• Leach: apply extra water occasionally so salts move below the roots, but only where drainage exists.
• Drain: a high water table brings salt back up.
• Mulch to cut evaporation from the surface.
• Choose tolerant crops (barley, sorghum, date palm, cotton) and sow on the shoulder of ridges, away from the salt.
• Test water and soil to know your salinity level before planning.