SOIL-PLANT DEGRADATION AND THEIR INTER-RELATION AT SALINE DESERT ECOSYSTEM

High salinity is contributing significantly to environmental degradation. Saline desert (Little Rann of Kutch of 4860 ha) was selected to study soil and vegetation. Soil was analyzed at different depth 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45cm. Maximum salinity was 24.033dSm-1. Mean values for FC, WHC, OC, N, P, Ca, K and Na were 20.456%, 28.250%, 0.344%, 0.030%, 22.727kg ha-1, 103.293mg kg-1, 841.276mg kg-1 and 144.395mg kg-1. Calcium and herbaceous density (153.601mg kg-1 and 0.646plants m-2) was maximum and sodium (65.490mg kg-1) was minimum (site two). Results suggest that calcium have beneficial effect to overcome salinity and minimise the effect of sodium in the soil.