SOIL SALINITY STATUS IN NAMANGAN REGION, UZBEKISTAN

Understanding soil salinity levels is essential for effective agricultural planning and, consequently, for ensuring food security and sustainability. However, poor practices have significantly impacted soil salinity levels in many developing countries. In Uzbekistan, soil salinity levels have not been adequately assessed and documented over the past decades, leading to adverse effects on agricultural food production. This paper presents a first attempt to systematically document soil salinity levels in the Namangan area of Uzbekistan. Data on soil salinity from the last 22 years (2000-2022) were obtained from the Namangan Regional Department of Agriculture. Additionally, soil samples from the Uychti district of Namangan, collected in 2013, 2014, and 2017, underwent thorough laboratory analysis. Documented soil salinity levels in the Namangan region highlight a need for significant attention to mitigate these impacts. Experimental findings demonstrate the effectiveness of mulching agro-technologies in reducing soil salinity. However, a comprehensive assessment and an adaptive approach to mitigate soil salinity in the Namangan region are urgently needed to ensure long-term agricultural productivity.