permaculture

[Marimike6@cs.com]

yarrow@sfo.com wrote:
>But what effect does saltwater have on the soil ecology? 

Just from reading the article, I would assume the real value of the finding 
was that it provides a high value crop for soils already damaged by salt 
saturation, such as in the Sacramento Basin. Here's a location that's already 
been 
so heavily irrigated it's worn out. A novel use like this, where the waters 
available are on the saline side to begin with, could bring the region back 
to 
life.

There would of course be other concerns. In the Sacramento fields I 
understand selenium salts have built up to such high levels they are 
considered in 
places to be poisonous. So high-antioxidant tomatos may not be a quick 
panacea 
without some further work. But it's a great approach to bring damaged soils 
back 
into productivity.

You're right, of course, to think that pouring salt on healthy fields is 
probably not the best idea.

Michael