What is the Difference Between Saline and Alkaline Soils?

Saline and alkaline soils are two types of soils with basic properties, but they have different characteristics:

1. pH: Saline soils have a pH ranging from 7 to 8.5, while alkaline soils have a pH greater than 8.5.
2. Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP): Saline soils have an ESP of less than 15%, while alkaline soils have an ESP higher than 15%.
3. Electrical Conductivity: Saline soils have a high electrical conductivity, which is a measure of the soil's ability to conduct electricity. This is related to the amount of soluble salts present in the soil.
4. Organic Matter Content: Saline soils have a greater organic matter concentration than alkaline soils.
5. Soil Structure: Alkaline soils tend to be more dispersed and not as friable and mellow as saline soils due to the excess sodium in the soil, which prevents soil particles from easily attaching to one another.

Both saline and alkaline soils are not conducive to proper plant growth due to the low availability of plant nutrients.

Comparative Table: Saline vs Alkaline Soils

Here is a table comparing the differences between saline and alkaline soils:

Both saline and alkaline soils have low availability of plant nutrients, making it difficult for proper plant growth. The key difference between the two is the pH and exchangeable sodium percentage, with saline soils having a pH less than 8.5 and an exchangeable sodium percentage less than 15%, while alkaline soils have a pH greater than 8.5 and an exchangeable sodium percentage higher than 15%.