Spatial Distributions of Salinity and Sodicity in Semiarid Irrigated Lands in Ethiopia for Effective Salt‐Affected Soil Management

ABSTRACT Salinity and sodicity severely impact soil health and agricultural productivity by disrupting nutrient and water availability, ultimately threatening food security and ecosystem sustainability. This study examined the spatial and temporal distributions of soil salinity and sodicity under the Sille irrigation scheme in southern Ethiopia. Soil samples collected from two depths (0–30 cm and 30–60 cm) during both the wet and dry seasons revealed significant variations in salinity levels, ranging from nonsaline to very strongly saline. During the dry season, moderately saline areas constituted 43% and 44% of the 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm depths, respectively, with strongly saline areas at 0–30 cm varying (37%–38%) from the wet to dry season. Sodicity also varied significantly, with 39% of the area exhibiting strong sodicity at 30–60 cm depth during the dry season. A strong positive correlation was found between electrical conductivity (EC) and the exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), as well as soluble sodium. Additionally, the soil water balance analysis indicated increased irrigation and groundwater recharge during dry periods. These findings highlight the need for integrated management strategies, such as selecting salt‐tolerant crops and implementing effective salt‐leaching practices, to increase productivity and ensure the sustainability of irrigated agriculture.