Impact of soil salinity, sodicity, and irrigation water salinity on crop production and coping mechanism in areas of dryland farming

Abstract Dryland agricultural regions face significant challenges due to soil and irrigation water salinity, which significantly affect crop yield. The high salt content in soil and irrigation water poses a significant risk to agriculture's productivity and long‐term viability. Soil salinity hinders crop development by impeding water absorption, causing osmotic stress, and altering nutrient accessibility. Similarly, increased salt levels in irrigation water directly impact the water quality used for agricultural irrigation. This can result in reduced crop output, slowed plant development, reduced nutrient absorption, and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases. To address these issues, farmers in arid…