Agronomic research in salt affected soils of India: An overview
2012
Sharma, D.K. | Chaudhari, S.K.
The salt-affected soils always existed on the globe, only its presence was felt with increasing pressure on cultivated lands. Present paper describes an overview of ouotstanding agronomic/agricultural research carried out on salt affected soils throughout the country. Understanding of salt impacts on agricultural lands existed in pre- and post-Vedic era. Agronomic research, though sporadic in nature, was initiated during the Aryan civilization. During the pre-independence period, problems of salt affected soils were first recognized in the United Province (presently Uttar Pradesh), Sind Province and undivided Punjab Province. Constitution of Reh Committee was the first systematic step leading to preliminary research on salt affected soils. But salinity research got a boost only in post-independence period after establishment of Central Soil Salinity Research Institute at Karnal. Basic research on salt affected soils and their properties were extensively carried out and agronomic research on crop response to salinity was followed. Agronomic research advanced in reclamation and management of salt affected soils, and devising standard agro-practices for salt affected soils. Alternate land-use systems were developed for moderately and severely degraded salt affected lands. Research on salinity excelled in the country through AICRP on Soil Salinity and Use of Poor Quality Waters, and also through Indo-Dutch Network Project. Further Agronomic Research has been extended to salt affected Vertisols, coastal saline soils and sodic soils of IGP. Paper also describes the Impact of salinity research on Indian agriculture. Future issues in agronomic research on salt affected soils of India are also elaborated in the present paper.
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