Effectiveness of Organic Wastes as Fertilizers and Amendments in Salt-Affected Soils

Excessive salt rate can adversely influence the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, mainly in arid and semi-arid world regions. Therefore, salt-affected soils must be reclaimed to maintain satisfactory fertility levels for increasing food production. Different approaches have bee...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mariangela Diacono, Francesco Montemurro
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2015-04-01
Series:Agriculture
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/5/2/221
Description
Summary:Excessive salt rate can adversely influence the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, mainly in arid and semi-arid world regions. Therefore, salt-affected soils must be reclaimed to maintain satisfactory fertility levels for increasing food production. Different approaches have been suggested to solve these issues. This short review focuses on selected studies that have identified organic materials (e.g., farmyard manures, different agro-industrial by-products, and composts) as effective tools to improve different soil properties (e.g., structural stability and permeability) in salt-affected soils. Organic fertilization is highly sustainable when compared to other options to date when taken into consideration as a solution to the highlighted issues. However, further experimental investigations are needed to validate this approach in a wider range of both saline and sodic soils, also combining waste recycling with other sustainable agronomic practices (crop rotations, cover crops use, etc.).
ISSN:2077-0472