Relationship of irrigation water salinity and soil water salinity

Significant concentrations of soluble salts are not normally found in organic soils. Organic soils, differentiated from mineral soils by an organic matter content greater than 20 percent, are formed from partially decayed plant remains that accumulated originally in shallow bodies of fresh water or in poorly drained areas where anaerobic conditions persisted. In contrast, saline soils usually occur in regions where water is lacking. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is an important example of an agricultural area with organic soils that are threatened by salinity.