Theory 103/Soil Science
Salinity Is an Evaporation Ratio
The claim
Soil salinisation is set by the ratio of evaporation to leaching rather than by irrigation water salinity.
01The mechanism
Salts accumulate when evaporation removes water without drainage; the ratio determines whether accumulation or flushing dominates.
02Predictions
- P1Salinity should track the ratio.
- P2Water quality alone should mispredict.
03Refutation
Salinity tracking water quality would remove the ratio.