Amelioration of Salt Affected Soil with Potassium Fertilization: A Review

Approximately 7% of the Earth's land surface is affected by salinity, resulting in significant agricultural losses. Salt stress is characterized by the presence of an elevated concentration of soluble salts within the root zone, leading to the development of osmotic stress and ion toxicity in the plant throughout its growth. The presence of elevated levels of salt in soil is a significant abiotic stress factor that has a detrimental impact on the growth, development, and production of agricultural crops. The issue of salt stress arises as a significant matter when agricultural fields, which were once fertile and productive, experience a more pronounced salinization due to both human activity and natural factors. Sodic soils have a detrimental impact on plant growth due to elevated soil pH levels and unfavorable physical properties caused by an excessive accumulation of exchangeable sodium ions. Sodium ions (Na+) have been found to exert significant deleterious effects on plant growth due to their harmful impact on plant metabolism via suppressing enzyme activities. The maintenance of plant growth and yield development relies on the activation of enzymatic processes in the cytoplasm, which requires an appropriate ratio of potassium (K+) to sodium (Na+). The reclamation of salt-affected soils is necessary in order to restore their productivity and hence enhance food production. Various strategies have been employed for the effective management of saline-alkali soils. These approaches encompass leaching, incorporation of diverse organic and inorganic amendments, mulching, and the cultivation of salt-tolerant crops. Hence, the current study is centered on multiple facets of salt-affected soils, their impact on plant life, and diverse strategies for rehabilitating salt affected soils in order to improve the capacity for agricultural yield.