Saline-Alkali Soil: Causes and Global Solutions for Reclamation

Saline-alkali soil—salt-affected and alkaline soil—is one of the major constraints on global agricultural productivity. It is a hidden crisis affecting food security and soil sustainability, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. This blog explains the causes of saline-alkali soil formation and explores practical soil improvement strategies using modern biostimulants and soil conditioners, supported by global data from FAO and other international institutions.

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The Global Challenge of Salt-Affected Soil

According to the FAO's first global assessment of salt-affected soils in 50 years:

• Over 1.38 billion hectares of land are affected by salt globally—roughly 10.7% of the world’s land surface.

• An additional 1 billion hectares are at risk of salinization due to irrigation mismanagement and climate change.

• Salt-affected soils reduce the yield of crops like rice and legumes by up to 70%.

• The most affected regions include China, the U.S., Australia, Russia, and Argentina.

To aid global monitoring, FAO also launched the Global Map of Salt-Affected Soils (GSASmap), covering 118 countries. This reveals that more than 20% of irrigated agricultural land is already salt-affected.

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What Causes Saline-Alkali Soil Formation?

Saline-alkali soils form due to both natural processes and human interventions:

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