The suitability of water for irrigation and home gardens is influenced not only by the total soluble salts and their composition, but also by the type of soil and drainage, the climate and the rainfall. A salt problem is often caused by the salts from the irrigation water accumulating in the soil. The recommendations provided are only a guide . If the salinity is near the upper limit, the suitability of the water can only be proved by trying it. Preliminary trials are also necessary where there are special conditions of drainage, soil or rainfall.
Seedlings are more sensitive to salt than mature plants.
In salty situations, it may help to grow seedlings using good soil in containers that rot when the plants are placed in their permanent positions. Trickle irrigation can reduce the effects of salinity by maintaining a continuously moist soil around the plant roots and providing steady leaching of salt to the edge of the wetted zone. It is important to reduce evaporation if using saline water for sprinkler irrigation. Water at night, early in the morning or late evening when the air is more humid. Watering in the heat of the day concentrates the salts, due to the high evaporation.