ABSTRACT: Soil and water salinity has emerged as a serious problem of world’s agriculture. This is a peculiarity of Gulf counties and a serious threat to Omani agriculture. Livelihood of large number of farmers is at stake if the problem is not confronted head-on. Biosaline agriculture in terms of development and introduction of new crops and salt-tolerant varieties of existing crops should have been given priority along with the water focused solutions. Government initiatives needed to be strengthened to make any significant improvement in the salinity situation in Oman. Although soil salinity problem has been consistently highlighted and emphasized in various surveys and integrated studies conducted in the country, however, the subject was never taken with the vigor and zeal it deserved. Soil salinity research in the past has been inadequate in relation to the extent and severity of this menace. Therefore, lack of relevant information and data is felt seriously at present. Severe deficiencies were observed in the salinity knowledge base. The Sultanate of Oman is facing very heavy deficit in water demand that is increasing with time. According to Strategy and National Action Program (NAP) the water deficit in the year 2000 was 331 Mm3 that will increase to 606 by 2020 (UNEP, 2004). This indicated the scarcity and severity of the problem. Soil and water salinity in Oman passed through three different stages; Early, Middle and Recent. The past work at a glance has been presented under these stages.

ABSTRACT: Soil and water salinity has emerged as a serious problem of world’s agriculture. This is a peculiarity of Gulf counties and a serious threat to Omani agriculture. Livelihood of large number of farmers is at stake if the problem is not confronted head-on. Biosaline agriculture in terms of...