# Progress and Prospect of Saline-Alkaline Soil Management Technology: A Review
## 2 Traditional Management Techniques and Methods
### Water Management  
Water conservation measures have long been recognized as an effective approach for improving soils affected by saline-alkaline stress. The most effective approach to managing both salinity and water saturation is by draining the salt away from the root  
Figure 2: The traditional management method of saline-alkaline and alkaline land. zone and controlling the water tale level [25]. The key to this method lies in establishing a well-structured irrigation and drainage system, including properly designed irrigation channels and an efficient drainage network. Regular and controlled irrigation and drainage practices [26] serve as a vital factor in minimizing salt accumulation in the soil, thereby creating favorable conditions for crop growth. This method is highly adaptable, requiring less time and labor while ensuring sustainable soil management. A practical example of this approach is research by [PERSON] et al., who utilized sprinkler and drip irrigation systems, either individually or in combination to target specific sensitive areas in the soil affected by inorganic salt deposition [27]. Similarly, [PERSON] et al. conducted a field experiment on salt irrigation, revealing a direct relationship linking the amount of saltwater applied and the effectiveness of soil desalination. Their findings demonstrated a significant reduction in salinity levels in the surface soil layer, confirming the visibility of this method for changing saline-alkaline soils [28]. One of the most widely used methods for managing salinity is leaching, which involves applying additional water beyond crop requirements to flush excess salts form he soil. This process helps prevent salt accumulation in the root zone, promoting better water and nutrient availability of crops [25]. However, the success of leaching depends on significantly in the soil's hydraulic properties, with soil texture influencing water movement and salt dynamics [29]. While leaching is an essential tool, it must be carefully managed, as excessive irrigation can lead to the loss of essential nutrients and agrochemicals contributing to water contamination and decreasing overall water use efficiency [30]. In areas with limited water availability, farmers must strike a balance between maximizing crop area without leaching, which may reduce yields and allocating water for leaching to improve yield per unit area. Research suggests that leaching is more cost-effective hen soil salinity levels exceed the crops salinity threshold [31]. An emerging strategy for maintaining soil salinity is rainwater harvesting, which is especially beneficial in protected and open field cultivation systems. Farmers can capture rainwater from greenhouse roofs or other sources, using it for irrigation or leaching. This method is not only cost effective, but also sustainable, as it allows for the use of good quality water in leaching operations. Cyclic irrigation, which includes intermittent leaching fractions, has been found to be more efficient than applying leaching at every irrigation event [32; 33]. Seasonal fluctuations in groundwater salinity also affect water management strategies. Higher electrical conductivity values are often observed during the summer months due to the increased evapotranspiration and lower rainfall. This suggest that crops planted early in the summer or winter crops could be more effective for managing salinity stress [25]. Additionally, preseason salt flushing (a form of salt leaching) is an effective way to lower salinity in soil before planting, but it should be followed by regular leaching throughout the growing season to prevent the soil from becoming resalinized [34]. However, the implementation of this approach comes with several challenges. One major issue is its high water consumption, which significantly raises management costs, particularly in regions facing existing water shortages. [PERSON] et al.