Question

Explain how salinity management conserve soil?

Answer 1

First of all we should understand that conservation of soil has a connection the the roots because roots are the only parts which are buried in the soil.

Now, root have fine root hair that take in water by a process called osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of their higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration across a selectively permeable membrane. When we water the soil the water potential of the soil is higher than that in root hair. So the root hair can take up water easily through osmosis.

Water potential is decided by the concentration of solute in water. Higher the concentration of solute, lower the water potential. Lower the concentration of solute, higher the water potential.

When we increase the salinity of the soil, we are increasing its solute concentration. So water potential will fall down. So due to lower water potential in the soil that that in the root hair, the root hair will LOOSE water through osmosis (because movement of water molecules take place from higher water potential to lower water potential). So due to loss of water, the plant will shrink.

SO IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THE SALINITY OF THE SOIL.

Hope this helps! Thank you.