Extent of Salt affected soils

Abstract

Several authors have attempted to estimate the extent of salt-affected soils in the last 30 years, for example: Using the FAO/UNESCO soil map of the world (1970-1980), FAO estimated that globally the total area of saline soils was 397 million ha and that of sodic soils 434 million ha. Of the then 230 million ha of irrigated land, 45 million ha (19.5 percent) were salt-affected soils; and of the almost 1 500 million ha of dryland agriculture, 32 million (2.1 percent) were salt-affected soils as indicated in the below table. Figures included arable and non arable soils.