Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
The mitigation challenge of salt affected soils in Pakistan
Author(s):
Muhammad Irshad 1*,
Mitsuhiro Inoue 1, Muhammad Ashraf 2, Zahoor Ahmad 2, Faridullah 2Recieved Date: 2007-01-18, Accepted Date: 2007-04-08
Abstract:The constraints on the availability and quality of land and water coupled with increasing degradation of natural resources are the major challenges of Pakistan. The development of sustainable land-use system must be emphasized to address these emerging challenges. Soil salinity, sodicity and waterlogging are amongst the significant land problems not only causing desertification but also possessing greater economic and social consequences. Since the location of Pakistan is in the arid and semi-arid zone, therefore, high evapotranspiration rate is the basic cause of salt accumulation in soils. Presently more than 6 million hectares of land are salt-affected. The issue is particularly related to the vast irrigation system in the country. The intensive use of surface irrigation has altered the hydrological balance of the irrigated areas. Mismanagement, incorrect irrigation and lack of drainage have resulted further salt accumulation in the soils. Thus there is a major imbalance in the amount of salt entering and leaving the soils. The magnitude of the problem can be ascertained from the fact that the productive land is being degraded by salinity at an alarming rate of about 0.02~0.04 million hectares annually. Remedial measures are being considered seriously by the people. Large number of projects has been launched on this aspect. The modified hydrological approach in conjunction with the chemical and biological reclamation would essentially manage salt-affected soils. Integrated efforts are needed to effectively mitigate salt-affected soils for perpetual productivity. For this purpose, public participation and the encouragement of non-governmental agencies is absolutely imperative. This paper discusses the nature and causes of soil salinization and reviews options available for improved utilization and management of saline lands in Pakistan.
Keywords:Salinization,
waterlogging, Pakistan, irrigation system, causes, remediesJournal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2007
Volume: 5
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 280-283
Full text for Subscribers
Information:
Note to users
The requested document is freely available only to subscribers/registered users with an online subscription to the Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. If you have set up a personal subscription to this title please enter your user name and password. All abstracts are available for free.
Article purchasing
If you like to purchase this specific document such as article, review or this journal issue, contact us. Specify the title of the article or review, issue, number, volume and date of the publication. Software and compilation, Science & Technology, all rights reserved. Your use of this website details or service is governed by terms of use. Authors are invited to check from time to time news or information.
Purchase this Article: 20 Purchase PDF Order Reprints for 15
Share this article :