FACTORS INFLUENCING THE STABILITY OF SALT-AFFECTED SOILS IN THE UK - CRITERIA FOR IDENTIFYING APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

Changes in agricultural practices that brought about deflocculation pr oblems on salt affected alluvial soils in eastern England are outlined . The spatial variation in the occurrence of problems is discussed. Ex changeable sodium percentage (ESP) was found to be the factor having g reatest influence on soil stability as measured by the dispersion rati o. Changes in ESP had similar effects on the stability of soils from E ssex and Kent. Threshold ESP of 5% for topsoils and 10% for subsoils a re suggested, above which deflocculation problems can be expected. The use of these thresholds as part of the process for identifying future management options is discussed.