Salinity generally has more of an adverse effect on the crop than on the soil being irrigated. Most crops have some degree of sensitivity to salt, because of the competition for water. In addition, some constituents of dissolved salt can sometimes be toxic to plants in high concentrations. Sodium, on the other hand, can have an adverse effect on soil permeability. Irrigation water that is suitable for one soil may not be suitable for another soil.
Sodium affects clayey soils more than it affects sandy soils.
Soluble salts are leached from sandy soils more readily than they are leached from clayey soils.