ProCrop 1999

SALTY SOILS MANAGEMENT

Evaporation of salty water moving up from high water tables causes salt spots. It is easy to ignore the problem and farm around these spots. However, without proper management, salt spots can become larger and the salinity can increase. The best management is to get something to grow on these spots, preferably a deep rooted crop. The idea is to lower the water table so the salts can be leached with precipitation. Do not summer fallow these areas, nor should the area from which the groundwater is coming from be summer fallowed. Several perennial grasses are tolerant of salty soils and can be established on these areas. Manure applied to salt areas will help counteract salt effects temporarily through dilution, but will increase the problem long-term.

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