Friday 7 November 2014

Repeating the fate of Carthage?

Did you know that the Romans sowed the fields of Carthage with salt after defeating it in the second Punic War?

If so, you know a myth!  Apparently this was invented quite recently!

Unfortunately, our salting of fields is all too real. An international research team points out that poor irrigation practice often leads to salt deposition causing production losses. They cite research showing that in India salt-affected fields produce 40 to 60% less than those not affected.  The team estimated the annual costs due to lost crop yields and additional costs at $27 billion per year.

Salt damage can be reversed - but it's not cheap.