verzilting

Verzilting is a term used in soil science to describe the process of soil salinization, particularly in Dutch-speaking contexts. The Dutch verzilting denotes the accumulation of soluble salts in the soil profile, which can reduce soil fertility and crop productivity. In English-language texts the phenomenon is usually called soil salinization, with verzilting appearing in regional reports and translations.

Causes: It arises when salts are introduced to the root zone and not adequately removed by leaching. Key drivers include irrigation with saline water, rising groundwater, capillary rise, and high evaporation in arid and semi-arid climates or poorly drained soils.

Impacts: Elevated soil salinity reduces plant water uptake and can cause ion toxicity, notably from sodium and chloride. It may also degrade soil structure, reducing permeability and aeration and thereby hindering root growth and yields.

Measurement: Salinity is typically assessed by the electrical conductivity of soil water extract (ECe) or saturation extract. Thresholds depend on crop and soil, but higher values signal greater risk to productivity.

Management: Mitigation focuses on drainage improvement to enable leaching, using lower-salinity irrigation water, proper irrigation scheduling, crop selection with salt tolerance, and soil amendments such as gypsum where sodicity is present. Monitoring groundwater and salt balance is essential for prevention.

Regional context: Verzilting is a concern in coastal deltas, irrigated peripheries, and peatlands under drainage, including areas in the Netherlands, North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of South Asia.

See also: soil salinity, drainage, salinity management, irrigation.