Alteration of soils in the irrigated zone of the Amu Darya River delta

The soil in the irrigated part of the Amu Darya River delta is being altered by human impact. Increased irrigation has everywhere caused a rise in the level of high-salinity groundwaters. Increasing salinity of irrigation water and the re-use of drainage waters in relatively low-water years have led to salinization of all irrigated soils and have accelerated secondary salinization. On rice plantations, Irrigated Rice-Paddy Solonchak soils that are difficult to restore have developed in low areas of relief.