Comments on: Guest Blog – Frederick Dobbs On Soil Salinity

By: Frederick Dobbs

Frederick Dobbs — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:40:56 +0000

You bring up some good points, Charlotte. All of the areas that you mention are around 30 degrees north, blest with favorable climates, and are prime agricultural lands. One of the limiting factors in all these areas is water, all are under irrigated agriculture, and the amount of evapotranspiration exceeds rainfall, which leads to salinization. There is lots of agricultural research being conducted to deal with these situations; plants compatible is one of the prime approaches.

By: Charlotte Fanders

Charlotte Fanders — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:45:44 +0000

I have been aware of this problem since the ’50s when the Ag. Engineers from Pakistan and India with whom I was acquainted were trying to desalinate the Punjab–or at least trying to find a way to do so at my university. I also have read that the desert which the Isrealis caused to”bloom” is now salty. And that the Imperial Valley of California is becoming saline.
It seems to me that a different approach is necessary–perhaps a departure from synthetic chemicals and an introduction of organic elements.—-Also a selection of plants compatable with the existing soil conditions.
Charlotte Fanders (fanders9@wmconnect.com)

By: Frederick Dobbs

Frederick Dobbs — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:38:30 +0000

Thanks for your thoughts, Peter.

By: Deafpetr

Deafpetr — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:50:31 +0000

Like I always write.. because it is always true..
Stop driving your car.. We humans are devouring the earth resources. We intellectually justify DESTRUCTION IN THE NAME OF EDUCATION.
Until we can return to the stream of life.. forgetting the internal combustion engine and its meanings.. we shall yes return to your “green rock” and be even the destruction of that incredible habitat.
So..
go ahead..
keep on chattering..
The band played on whilst the Titanic sank..
Blessings..
Peter

By: Frederick Dobbs

Frederick Dobbs — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:00:30 +0000

You’re quite welcome, Susan.

By: Susan Wallace

Susan Wallace — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:55:18 +0000

Thank you for this useful information for non-chemists or soil scientists!

By: Frederick Dobbs

Frederick Dobbs — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:04:56 +0000

Dear Richard, As I said above and as Ben notes, the key to controlling soil salinity is adequate soil drainage. Now, how deep is your water table? Since you’re on an marsh island, it many not be too deep and adequate drainage may not be possible. As for plant selection, there should be a lot of information about this. Your county ag agent should have information about salt tolerant plants or should at the least be able to tell you where to get it. If you’re interested in citrus, Florida State and Univ. of California at Riverside have active citrus breeding programs.

Thanks

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:48:21 +0000

Great information here, relevant for me on my Florida marsh island, but what do I do about it? Is there a strategy other than plant selection and how can I know which plants to select other than trial and a lot of error?

By: Frederick Dobbs

Frederick Dobbs — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:00:27 +0000

Thanks for your kind words, Ben.

By: ben lewis

ben lewis — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:12:38 +0000

for many years i lived and worked in agriculture in imperial valley, california and all the problems with salt and alkaline soil. some times the salt got so bad that d 8 crawlers had to have 8 or 10 ft chisels to break up the hardpan so the accumulated salt would finally be able to drain and allow crops to grow;. a very facinating article.