article · Agrosystems Geosciences & Environment
Dryland agricultural regions face significant challenges from soil and irrigation water salinity, which severely impacts crop yields. High salt content hinders water absorption, causes osmotic stress, and alters nutrient availability, leading to reduced crop output and increased vulnerability to pests. Farmers in these areas employ various coping mechanisms, including efficient irrigation methods like drip irrigation, precision agriculture, and the use of gypsum to improve sodicity. They also utilise salt-tolerant crops and crop rotation systems. Integrated management strategies, combining efficient irrigation scheduling and soil conservation, are crucial for sustainable farming. Successful implementation relies on understanding local conditions and educating farmers on salinity management techniques.
Managing soil and water salinity is critical for ensuring food security and sustainable agriculture in dryland regions, which are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Effective strategies can protect crop yields, preserve agricultural land, and support the livelihoods of farming communities facing these environmental challenges.
This research highlights existing and integrated management strategies for combating salinity in dryland farming. It could inform the development of advisory services for farmers, training programmes on efficient irrigation and soil conservation, and the promotion of specific agricultural technologies like precision farming tools or gypsum products. The findings are applicable knowledge for immediate implementation in agricultural practices.
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Abstract Dryland agricultural regions face significant challenges due to soil and irrigation water salinity, which significantly affect crop yield. The high salt content in soil and irrigation water poses a significant risk to agriculture's productivity and long‐term viability. Soil salinity hinders crop development by impeding water absorption, causing osmotic stress, and altering nutrient accessibility. Similarly, increased salt levels in irrigation water directly impact the water quality used for agricultural irrigation. This can result in reduced crop output, slowed plant development, reduced nutrient absorption, and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases. To address these issues, farmers in arid regions use effective irrigation methods like drip irrigation, precision agricultural methods, gypsum that improves sodicity by supplying calcium ions, and salt‐perennial salt‐tolerated grass and crop rotation systems. Integrated management strategies, including efficient irrigation scheduling and soil conservation, can effectively handle soil and water salinity concerns in dryland agricultural regions. These methods encourage sustainable farming systems that maximize resource consumption, increase soil health, and boost crop output. Successful coping techniques require a comprehensive understanding of local variables, including soil and water quality, and crop requirements. Farmer education and awareness initiatives also play a crucial role in spreading information about salinity management measures and promoting their adoption.
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DOI: 10.1002/agg2.70072
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