Effects of salinity on crops Salinity is among the most detrimental factors affecting plant growth and crop yield. Currently, 20% of irrigated crop land is affected by salinity, and due to climate change this problem is expected to worsen (Li et al., 2023). Salt stress starts with osmotic stress, a rapid response that results in reduced water uptake by the roots, and is followed by an ionic stress, which occurs over a period of days to weeks (Munns and Tester, 2008).
