Inluence of Salinity Stress on Plant Growth and Productivity

Salinity is one of the most severe environmental factors limiting the productivity of agricultural crops. The continuous loss of arable land due over-exploitation and mismanagement contribute to increase in salinity. Secondary salinization of agricultural lands is particularly widespread in arid and semi-arid environment where crop production requires irrigation schemes. At least 20% of all irrigated lands are salt affected with some estimates being as high as 50% whereas the world's population continues to rise, the total land area under irrigation appears to have levelled off. Salinity is a major threat to irrigated agriculture because many of the soils and irrigation waters contain significant amount of dissolved salts. Due to excessive evapotranspiration in arid and semi-arid regions, the secondary salinization is becoming important factor for salinity. Most crops are sensitive to salinity caused by high concentration of salts in the soil. The book provides deep insight into saline soils and their influence on plant growth. Book is recommneded for researchers, students of University Department of Botany, Agriculture, Soil Science and Libraries alike.