Soil that is high in both salt and sodium is considered to be saline-sodic soil. This type of soil might occur naturally or unnaturally though the impact of human gardening and farming practices.
Symptoms
Saline-sodic soil can develop a white crust on its surface as salt collects. Plants have difficulty taking up available water. If water tends toward the saline, leaf tips might be burned.
Testing
Soil sample testing can diagnose saline-sodic soil. (Contact your local extension office for instructions and resources.) It's important to have water tested, too, since it might be the source of the problem.
Natural Causes
Saline-sodic soils often have poor drainage so salt is not carried away. Sometimes ground water is high, exposing tillable soil to the salt it carries. Soil in the area could have been originally created from marine materials containing salt and sodium.
Human-created Causes
Additions of soil amendments like fertilizer can, over time, create the condition when there is poor drainage. Irrigation might expose plants to saline-sodic water.
Ammendments
Reclaim saline-sodic soil by reducing sodium and salt and increasing calcium. Dissolve soils' limestone and/or gypsum with sulfur or sulfuric acid, then use water to leach away problem substances. Otherwise, you must add calcium.
Clay Soil
Clay soil is more prone to becoming sodic and salty because it doesn't drain well, salt collects and sodium chemically binds to the clay.
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