Salt of the earth: time to take it seriously

Abstract

Salinity is a major desertification process affecting the agricultural productivity of irrigated and non-irrigated land resources. Human induced salinity presently occurs on about 80 Mha, but will affect substantially greater areas in the future. The limited available information suggests that salinity is highly damaging to economic prosperity and morale in agricultural communities, especially in developing countries. This paper argues that saltland is a resource capable of significant production. Experience from within Australia and Pakistan suggests that profitable new agricultural industries can be based around the growth of salt tolerant plants. It is argued that an urgent cooperative effort is required by technologists and affected communities to research, develop and implement new saline agricultural industries.