Extent Of Salt-affected Soils Research Articles

Irrigated Agriculture and Soil Salinization in the Maltese Islands

In the Maltese islands, soil is one of the most threatened natural resources, being continuously exposed to a multitude of climatic, environmental, and man-induced impacts. The changes in agricultural practices as well as increases in urban development have intensified environmental problems and have accentuated the pressures on agricultural land and fragile semi-natural ecosystems. Between 1956 and 2001, the total agricultural land declined from 20,433 ha to 10,713 ha, however, during the same period, the irrigated land as a percentage of total agricultural land increased from 3.9% to 10.7%. The poor quality of irrigation water sources, and the supply of treated sewage effluent with a high level of salts, contribute to a significant salt input. The extent of salt-affected soils in the Maltese islands is not well-documented, however, field observations and technical reports indicate that soil salinity is a potential constraint for agricultural production. This article gives a comparative review of the salinity status of soils in three case study areas in Malta, the agricultural dryland at Ghammieri, the intensively cultivated irrigated valley of Pwales, and the agricultural land irrigated with treated sewage effluent of the Sant Antnin Sewage Treatment Plant in the South-East of Malta. This analysis is provided in the context of the environmental impact of irrigation on soil quality in the Maltese islands.

Monitoring change in the extent of salt-affected soils in northern India

Abstract A large area of barren salt-affected soils has been reclaimed in recent years in the Ganges Plains or Uttar Pradesh, India, Increased canal irrigation in the area, on the other hand, is also leading to salinization of new areas. A study was conducted using aerial photographs and Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data to monitor change in the status of salt-affected soils in the Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Old survey maps prepared using ground methods in 1956, showing large salt-affected soil blocks of more than 80 ha, were used as a basis for comparison. These maps were compared with the maps prepared using aerial photographs of 1972 and Landsat TM images of 1986. Aerial photographs on a 1:40 000 scale and standard Landsat TM false colour composite (FCC) image on 1:50000 scale provided a minimum delineation of 2 ha size, which was considered sufficient for change detection in the present case. The average increase in cultivation due to reclamation within the salt-affected soil blocks during 1956-86 was found to be 22 per cent. This increase was also corroborated by the increase in the rice area during the above period in the district since these soils are used mainly for rice cultivation. During 1972-86, an increase in the extent of salt-affected soils on the periphery of large blocks was also observed, which was limited to 3 per cent.