Salinity

Definition

Salinity is the concentration of soluble salts in soil. When it is high, plants struggle to take up water even when the soil is moist, so crops look drought-stressed in damp ground. It builds up where evaporation exceeds rainfall and where irrigation water has no way to drain, and white crusts on dry soil are a classic sign. A laboratory test of electrical conductivity confirms it. Salinity differs from sodicity and needs different remedies. See also: Sodicity, Leaching, Desertification, and the guide "Salinization and Sodicity: When Salt Takes Over the Soil".