Irrigation water containing high salt levels increases the risk of salinization and as salinity increases crop productivity will decrease. Salinity can change relatively quickly with time compared to other soil properties. Soil testing for salts is necessary to not only follow possible salinity increases over time in irrigated fields but to determine if irrigation should be attempted in the first place. High salinity cannot only affect crop growth and development, but can also reduce yield. Additionally it can require more irrigation water to exert the same or even less crop growth.

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