Читать книгу Physiology of Salt Stress in Plants - Группа авторов - Страница 18

The existence and survivability of the global population are mostly dependent on agriculture. It is estimated that about 99% or more consumable fodder sources are scattered across the lithosphere, whereas a hydrosphere contributes a negligible fraction of 0.5% or less. Thus, it is evident that a healthy and sufficient existence of earth crust is mandatory for the sustainable coexistence of the human being. Furthermore, soil erosion drastically impacts the agricultural yield. It is estimated that annually approximately 75 million tonnes of soil loss occurs only from the cultivable topographic regions worldwide. Other prominent effects of salinization include the erosion of the hilly terrains, which is probably less investigated (Aslam et al. 2017).

Saline soil mostly produces superficial seals due to two causes: (i) sodium pressure fragmentizes the soil structure and eliminates clay particles, resulting in clogging of interstitial voids and (ii) lean vegetative cover exposes the saline soil to precipitation compaction (Agassi et al. 1994, Singer and Lindquist 1998). Both the processes mainly decrease percolation and enhance surface runoff. Though the layer beneath gets safeguarded against vigorous erosion, the top layer gets severely imposed due to the disintegration caused by salinization (Agassi et al. 1994). Therefore, it is evident that soil salinity also can indirectly influence soil erosion up to a greater extent.

In this ever‐raising context of fodder demand and versatile challenges, ensuring a hassle‐free supply for the global population is a mammoth task. Amid eyeing for the alternate sources, existing challenges such as unavailability of the fertile land footprint, overconsumed natural resources, water and energy scarcity, and climate variance cannot be overlooked. Sustainability can only be achieved by compensating the need, not greed. Advanced issues need modern solutions, and indeed few are emerging as follows: reparation of sodicity with gypsum dosing, subsurface drainage of water‐stagnant flood‐planes, adaptation of agroforestry, and generating genetically engineered species and switching to them (ICAR 2015). The detailed pathway is delineated below:

1 The satellite‐based remote‐sensing approach with geographic information system (GIS) mapping and real‐time ground truthing can provide an array of escalating salinity footprint (Singh et al. 2010).

2 Gypsum‐dosed alkali reparation techniques for soils affected with sodium toxicity.

3 Reclamation of flooded wetlands through downward drainage– the method is quite useful in addressing multidimensional issues such as water stagnation and salinization.

4 Chemical regeneration of saline soil with ameliorants is also practiced in some parts of the globe. The method is expensive and hence challenging to impose for more giant footprints.

5 Phytoremediation with salt‐tolerant species is contrarily an inexpensive and eco‐friendly mechanism.

6 Multilayer agroforestry is a recent trend in the agricultural industry to mitigate rising demand. Anyhow, the method also assists in reclaiming saline soil by reducing the soil density and thereby causing an elevated percolation rate. Furthermore, the littered biomass improves soil fertility and yield (Kaur et al. 2000; Nosetto et al. 2007).

7 Nonconventional techniques such as inland fishery have also gained limited popularity, majorly in the southern peninsula of the country. Flood‐planes and wetlands near to the coastal regions are effectively serving as the source of alternate revenue generation.

8 Microbialremediation: Desalination through microbial action is indeed rigorous. The inoculants are expensive and seek a suitable environment.