23. Practical, Productive, and Environment-Friendly Utilization of Different Categories of Salt-Affected Soils in Arid and Semiarid Regions of Pakistan

Saline soils in Pakistan are of three types. First type includes porous saline and saline-sodic soils (4.79 × 10⁶ ha) located in irrigated areas. These soils possess electrical conductivity in the range of 10–15 dS m⁻¹ and can be cultivated with salt-tolerant wheat. A short-duration and short-stature wheat line (SSt) was developed for such areas which is also resistant to lodging that may occur as a consequence of irrigation. The second types of soils (1.5 × 10⁶ ha) have twin problems of salinity and water deficiency and are located in water-deficit areas of southern Punjab and parts of Sindh. A drought-tolerant wheat line (DTL) was developed for these areas which can be grown with only pre-sowing irrigation and can produce grain yield of about 6,000 kg ha⁻¹. The third types of soils (11 × 10⁶ ha) are located in Cholistan, Thar, Thal, and Kharan areas beset with salinity, high rate of evaporation, and strong winds. Water is most critical and limiting factor that prohibits agriculture production under such areas. Wheat variety “DURUGEN” was developed for these soils which combine tolerance for salt, water deficiency, and high temperature. It can be cultivated in desert areas for production of green biomass which can be used (1) as fodder to raise sheep and goats, (2) to provide green cover to barren lands thereby improving both land and the environment, and (3) to help providing livelihood to the poor natives. This chapter provides details of specific wheat genotypes and successful cultivation of these genotypes on saline soils.