Diagnostic Properties and Constraints of Salt-Affected Soils

Salt-affected soils include saline or sodic soil that covers over 400 million hectares, i.e. over 6 % of the world land area. In India, about 6.73 million hectares (Mha) of land is affected by salinity and sodicity problems. Coastal soils in a number of situations are constrained by various technological factors limiting the agricultural productivity and, therefore, merit attention. The numerous constraints need proper diagnosis of the problem and its appropriate remediation. The chapter highlights the soil resources of India and the distribution of problematic soils with their specific constraints for agricultural production. This gives complete background information on the properties, issues and problems associated with inland and coastal saline and sodic and waterlogged soils.