In some case soil may be encrusted in a layer of salt. As a result, moisture content in the soil may be drastically decreased. High concentrations of salt may also cause clay to have a decreased concentration of water. This makes the clay harder and vegetation is less likely to grow. Although salt already effects the soil vegetation grows in, it also can directly effect vegetation itself.
Vegetation can be dehydrate to the point of death when in contact with high levels of salt.
This occurs because the osmotic stress put on the plant make it react like it was in a drought. A decrease in roots production and burns to leaf tips cause the plant to go into shock. Salt injury will also occur when plants come into contact with increased levels of salt. Salt injury is when foliage damage is present by leaf burn, die-back, defoliation and brooming. It can also cause fruit trees to have reduced quantity and quality of fruit.