MANACING SALINITY PROBLEMS IN RICE FIELDS

The response of salt affected rice soils to salinity reclaimation by flushings and chemical amelioration by lime and gypsum were evaluated . Soils with good drainage system responded well to simple reclimation . The effects of seawater intrusion were reduced efficiently in a very short time. Yields of rice crops recovered to their potential level within one to two seasons of cropping. Soil profile strength was also improved under well drained areas. However, when drainage system was ineffective the problems of salinity and soil strength remained unsolved. Under both condition, water depth management played important role in the survival of rice crop under the sline soil conditions.