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Identification and Management of New Mexico's Saline and Sodium Affected Soils

Plan Goal

Correctly identify saline and / or sodium affected soils with accepted methods, reasons for the salinity or sodium, and the dissemination of management practices and cropping systems that are appropriate for the affected location.

Situation Statement

Saline soils contribute to the failure of crops and home gardens. Sodium affected soils prevent water percolation and require specific management practices and inputs. Soil test results from NMSU's Soil and Water Agricultural Testing Laboratory indicate that the problem is widespread in New Mexico and is present in both urban and rural settings. The number of saline soils reported by the NMSU laboratory is close to 20 percent of those submitted. Sodium affected soils are fewer. Failure to correct either problem can result in significant yield or quality losses. Both USDA and University research has been conducted on what plant species are best adapted to saline conditions. Plant performance is based on the saturated paste extract which is only rarely requested from commercial labs that serve New Mexico customers. Identifying sodium affected soils also requires specific extraction procedures from which quantities of amendments can be calculated to overcome the problem. All require excess water and adequate soil drainage which further complicates the issue for New Mexico when much of the state is short of water. Sodium affected soils require the replacement of the sodium ion with calcium which can be supplied from numerous sources. Many people, however, try to correct saline soils with the same treatment used for sodium affected soils. To do so is a waste of financial resources. Too often soil samples are submitted after problems occur. Sometimes this is due to the addition of saline water sources but it can also be a natural occurrence. Proper identification of saline and sodium affected sites prior to using the land for an intended purpose is the best way to improve the financial picture behind the reclamation process. It is possible with the correct identification of saline soils that proper plants can be selected that will withstand the salinity and ultimately impact the amount of water required for a productive landscape. Sodium affected sites, however, will require additional water, amendments, and management. Progress will be made as more people such as crop consultants are educated about salinity and sodium and we see more soil samples submitted for assessment prior to making decisions.

Target Audience and Actions

Soil test information by county will be shared and explained with consultants, agricultural extension agents, farmers, home and land owners, and USDA personnel regarding the occurence of salinity and sodium affected soils. A map or tabular data of the state identifying areas of concern regarding sodium and salinity issues will be generated to help with the long-term education effort. Soil test results from the NMSU soil lab will be interpreted and shared with individuals interested in the optimum use of their soil and water resources. Specific management practices will be shared with individuals in the case of saline and / or sodium affected soils. General identification and management practices will be distributed through extension publications, published studies, and presentations to master gardeners and commodity groups as well as professional state and national staff.

Short-Term Objectives

50 percent of clientele will gain an awareness of the importance of soil testing for identifying saline and sodium affected soils before using the soil for plant growth.

10 percent of instructed clientele will indicate that they are motivated to submit soil samples for salinity assessment as a result of attending seminars or workshops.

Medium-Term Objectives

25 percent of clientele submitting sodium affected soil for NMSU lab analysis will report they followed amendment instructions or at the very least addressed the issue after receiving their interpretation.

25 percent of clientele submitting soils with saline properties to the NMSU soil testing laboratory will report that they followed suggested management practices provided on the interpretation form.

Long-Term Objectives

At least one workshop or seminar will be provided per year that will give extension agents, other professional personnel, and/or clientele the tools needed to select plants and management practices for saline soils. Individuals will be able to select at least two plants that are suitable for their conditions.

Clientele with identified sodium affected soils will have either demonstrated a decrease in soil sodium due to prescribed management practices or can demonstrate steps that were taken to avoid sodium affected soils.

Evaluation Plan

Short- and medium-term objectives will be monitored, in part, from the interpretation of soil test results submitted to the NMSU soil and water testing laboratory.

STO #1 and #2 will be evaluated by giving participants a short survey to assess their likelihood to submit soil samples for salinity assessment.

Medium-term objectives will be evaluated using a phone or mail survey to assess effectiveness of the recommendations.

At least one case study will be utilized to track the effectiveness of management on saline and / or sodium affected soils and used as feedback for LTO #1.

Long-term objective #2 will be accomplished if clientele submit soil samples after treatment. Others will be polled as to whether or not they avoided the sodium issue by selecting alternative sites to manage.

Clientele participating in workshops of a professional nature will be evaluated for minimum competency in salinity and sodium issues through testing in course exams or through the certified crop adviser program.