Sodium in irrigation water can adversely affect the soil beneath the plant canopy. The water quality parameter known as the sodium adsorption ratio, or SAR, is useful when assessing the likelihood that sodium will be a problem in that regard.
Water high in salinity as well as in sodium may present additional problems. Including both SAR and EC in your analysis can be helpful when assessing such water.
Finally, leaching — applying more irrigation water than plants actually need — is sometimes a useful remedy for salinity-related problems. The intent is to leach away the unwanted solutes.
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