The publication of this Handbook was supported by the Russian Federation

Changes in soil quality including the following assessments:
 
– physical properties (soil porosity, field moisture capacity, maximal molecular moisture capacity 
and infiltration rate) and physicochemical properties (composition of  exchange bases, etc.) ;
 
– the composition and content of  humus and the content of  available plant nutrients;
 
– the type and degree of  soil salinization and the distribution pattern of  salts within soil profile;
 
– the  surface-subsurface  water exchange:  ΔW  =  Oc  +  Op  –  C  ±  g,  where:  Oc  and  Op  – 
precipitation and irrigation water, mm; C – runoff, mm; g – water exchange between soil 
solutions and groundwater, mm. The '+' and '-' signify upward and downward water fluxes, 
mm, respectively;
 
– the soil quality class and productivity depending on water infiltration rate and salinity;
 
– ion exchange (Na – Ca and Na – Mg) adsorption coefficient.