Salinity affects plant growth by reducing the root's ability to extract water from the soil. Salinity damage varies from season to season due to variations in the soil salt concentration. Waterlogging increases salinity damage.
What to look for
Paddock
Symptoms vary with soil salt concentration and severity of waterlogging.
Poor crop and weed germination (except salt tolerant species).
Patches of apparently water-stressed or prematurely dead plants in areas subject to salinity in spring.
Dry topsoils may be crusty possibly with salt crystals on the surface .
Plant
Seeds swell but don't germinate or emerge, or seedlings die after emergence, particularly in drying soil.
Wilted and dying plants in spring.
Roots may appear to be normal, but may be shallow and rot quickly after plant death.
Management strategies
Avoid growing narrow-leafed lupins on these soils.
How can it be monitored?
The salinity status of a soil can be assessed from indicator plants, measuring the salt concentration in soil samples or with electromagnetic-induction instruments or by measuring the depth to a saline watertable.
