Salinity Management in a dry, warm season
Water is the single largest input to a turfgrass system. Water pH impacts soil pH and when soil pH drifts outside the ideal range, nutrient availability declines, stress increases, and plant growth is compromised.
As temperatures rise and irrigation demand increases, poor quality water sources such as bores, effluent, or recycled water are used for irrigation. These sources frequently carry high sodium, chlorides, bicarbonates and elevated EC, all of which rapidly intensify salinity stress.
These conditions make proactive salinity management essential heading into a dry, stressful period.
Understanding Salinity Stress
1. Osmotic Stress
High soil salinity increases osmotic pressure in the soil. When salts outside the root zone exceed internal plant concentration, the plant loses water to the soil rather than absorbing it, leading to wilting even when moisture readings appear adequate.
2. Soil Structural Decline
Excess sodium displaces calcium and magnesium from exchange sites, leading to disrupted soil structure and reduced infiltration. High bicarbonate levels precipitate calcium and magnesium into insoluble carbonates, worsening structural decline and increasing sodium’s dominance.
Salinity Management Process
Apply sufficient water to push soluble salts beyond the rootzone. This is most effective when soil structure and infiltration allow adequate downward movement. Even flushing with poor quality water is better than no flushing at all.
Gypsum (calcium sulphate) and lime (calcium carbonate) provide calcium to displace sodium and support cation exchange capacity (CEC). Gypsum should be used in preference to lime when pH is above 6.5. If you have high salinity and acidic soil, then swap gypsum for lime.
These amendments assist in restoring soil structure when followed by effective leaching.
2. ACIDIFICATION
Acidification is essential when bicarbonates and high water pH limit calcium and magnesium availability.
Terreplex® is your first line of defence when irrigation suitability reports show elevated pH or bicarbonates.
– Neutralises bicarbonates, protecting Ca/Mg from precipitation.
– Stabilises water chemistry and improves nutrient availability.
– Enhances microbial activity through carbon content.
– Reduces soluble salts and supports better soil physical conditions.
TriActiv® is a turf recovery product formulated for the most extreme turfgrass stress events—heat, drought, hydrophobicity, and high salinity. It combines a surfactant system with energy recovery and soil conditioning components to restore both soil function and plant health.
– Improves water penetration into hydrophobic soils and localised dry spot. This allows better flushing.
– Enhances moisture uniformity across the rootzone—critical when sodium reduces infiltration.
– Amino acids supply immediate energy to weakened turf.
Need a hand in managing salinity?
Talk to your Living Turf Technical Representative to develop a custom solution for your grounds.