Sustainable Management Practices Related to Salinity Control in Tree and Vine Crops

Successful irrigation management of tree and vine crops to control soil salinity requires adequate leaching, which is defined as sufficient water to remove excess salts from the root zone above that required to meet crop demand. Excess salts decrease growth and yield in trees and vines and may lead to more severe effects such as leaf bum and even plant death. The salt tolerances of many crops has been quantified in terms of the salinity threshold at which yield is initially affected and the expected rate of decrease in yield with increasing salinity beyond the threshold. Many root stocks have been identified which are tolerant to such effects, but the long term effects of salts are relatively unknown. Irrigation management options include flood, sprinklers and drip; of these, drip irrigation offers the most advantages in saline conditions. Other management variables which can be manipulated to reduce salinity stress effects include planting methods, fertilization, and drainage methods.