Saline and Alkaline Soils in Israel

Abstract

For the purpose of this review, soils will be defined as saline if within any part of a profile depth of 120 cm an electrical conductivity of the soil extract exceeding 0.2 dSm⁻¹ at 25°C has been recorded or alternatively the soil contains more than 0.15 per cent soluble salts. As lightly saline are defined soils with an EC between 0.2 and 0.4 dSm⁻¹ (0.15–0.30% soluble salts). Moderately saline soils are those with an EC between 0.4 and 0.7 dSm⁻¹. When the EC exceeds 0.8 dSm⁻¹. the soils are defined as highly saline. While Solonchaks per definition are highly saline soils and Reg soils invariably are highly saline, many other soil types include phases with varying degrees of salinity. Notably among them are Jordan Calcareous Serozems, and Loessial Serozems, both types in the Negev, southern Israel. Vertisols occasionally include saline varieties.