SALTDATA: A database of plant yield response to salinity

Crop salt-tolerance data are crucial for the effective management of salt-affected agronomic systems in arid and semiarid regions. Numerous field and laboratory experiments have been conducted over the years to obtain these data, lending to generalized salt-tolerance lists used by growers and researchers, Plant response to salinity is affected by several factors, including crop variety, soil texture, climate, and irrigation or other cultural practices. Consideration of these factors in grow-th-response models would permit a more realistic and site-specific prediction of crop yield as a function of soil salinity, A computerized salt-tolerance database management program, SALT-DATA, was developed to store experimental data relating observed crop yields to average rootzone salinity and other parameters affecting plant growth. The information was selectively retrieved from a large collection of published references on salt tolerance. The data were stored in their original reported units, but conversion equations were included to allow comparison of salinity and yield data of different experiments reported in different units. Thus, a comprehensive data set can be built for retrieval, export, and subsequent analysis by various crop salt-tolerance models.