The publication of this Handbook was supported by the Russian Federation

M.I. Romaschenko and A.A. Nosonenko (Ukraine)
Synergetic amelioration complexes (SACs) involve the combined implementation of  a number of  
highly  efficient  science-based  ameliorative  measures  to  achieve  ecosystem  amelioration  targets. 
In this sense, SACs are aimed to encourage the maintenance and improvement of  self-regulatory 
ecosystem mechanisms to renew natural resources.
An SAC can be considered as a coherent system of  integrated development (co-evolution) of  
ameliorative measures and the noosphere (the sphere of  human thought) that provides for the 
maximal possible reduction of  ecological risks, effective increases of  potential productivity of  soil 
resources, integration and the adaptation of  human and nature interactions for the accomplishment 
of  sustainable (balanced) social development. Successive solutions to the problems of  ameliorative 
land management and green economy are based on a synergistic methodological approach [11].
At the present time, one of  priority goals of  amelioration science is to attain the maximal possible 
savings of  labour, energy and natural (including water) resources together with an increase in the 
efficiency of  their use.
Non-irrigated saline and alkaline soils should be analysed and subdivided according to their 
resistance to the further development of  salinization and alkalinization processes under the 
impact of  both natural and man-made factors within certain soil areas. The development of  the 
above-specified processes in non-irrigated soils is usually connected with a shallow occurrence of  
groundwater with an increased mineralization (salt content), the presence of  salt-affected parent 
materials and sediments and poor drainage [16].
On the basis of  existing data, non-irrigated saline and alkaline soils are subdivided into four types 
of  land areas:
•  areas, where the causes and the effects of  salinization and alkalinization processes are absent, 
i.e., 'stable' land areas that do not require any ameliorative treatments;
•  areas, where occasional manifestations of  salinization and alkalinization processes are 
possible, i.e., potentially unstable areas, for which preventive agrotechnical measures (the use 
of  salt- and sun-tolerant crops, green manure and rational fertilization and tillage of  soil) are 
recommended;
•  areas characterized by low and medium degrees of  development of  salinization and 
alkalinization processes, where complexes of  agrotechnical measures are designed for the 
restriction and a partial eradication of  such processes (application of  calcium-containing 
chemical ameliorators, soil leaching to remove salts and ameliorative deep ploughing); such 
measures are described in respective parts of  this Handbook.
•  areas characterized by a high degree of  development of  salinization and alkalinization 
processes and generally unsatisfactory ecological and ameliorative conditions. As a rule, 
these areas are found in coastal lowlands by the sea and wet estuaries, where highly saline 
groundwater occurs at a shallow depth. Such areas are not recommended for amelioration, 
because of  their low fertility and the high cost of  their reclamation. In some cases these areas 
are protected as nature reserves or used as recreational zones.

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Chapter 4.The rational use of saline and alkaline soils (with examples from Ukraine) 
Irrigated saline and alkaline soils should be managed with the use of  innovative water-saving 
techniques of  irrigation. Soil-protective water-saving techniques are highly recommended for 
implementation under conditions of  limited water resources and soil degradation tendencies. These 
techniques are economical and maintain a balanced development of  agricultural ecosystems [13].
The development of  irrigation salinity and alkalinity of  soils is mitigated by a combination of  
ameliorative measures that are described in respective parts of  this Handbook.
The  currently  growing  deficit  of   water  and  energy  resources  and  the  deterioration  of   the 
ecological-ameliorative condition of  irrigated lands within significant areas creates an imperative 
need for identifying and implementing water-saving soil-ameliorative measures based on water-
saving irrigation techniques. Such measures can help to provide for the sustainable management 
of  irrigated lands, maintenance and growth of  their productivity, rational use of  labour, water, soil 
and energy resources and a higher level of  food security. In conclusion, an analysis of  the current 
state of  irrigated lands in Ukraine suggests that drip irrigation is the most promising water-saving 
technique to date.
 Drip irrigation is currently the most widespread water-saving irrigation technique used in Ukraine. 
This technique allows water to drip slowly to the roots of  plants and, at the same time, supply 
macro- and micronutrients, chemical ameliorators, plant medications and growth regulators. As 
a result, there have been significant increases in crop productivity and savings on irrigation water, 
energy resources, mineral fertilizers and a highly significant decrease in the negative impacts of  
irrigation on the environment.
In Ukraine, drip irrigation is used for perennial crops as well as row fodder and vegetable crops 
within a total area of  about 70000 ha and there are demands for the construction of  new drip 
irrigation systems to provide for an annual increase in their total area by 15000 ha.
The use of  drip irrigation in a rotation of  vegetable crops allows for the following:
•  optimal soil water, air, temperature and nutrient regimes;
•  the possibility of  prompt and efficient application of  all agrotechnical measures;
•  saving 1.5-5.0 times more irrigation water than traditional irrigation systems;
•  lowering the costs of  energy expenditure on irrigation by 1.5-25 times;
•  saving of  30-50% in fertilizers due to their direct placement into the root zone in irrigation 
water solutions.
Thus, the further development of  soil irrigation systems in Ukraine should involve the implementation 
of  soil-water regulations and water-saving amelioration measures based on new and appropriate 
irrigation techniques and regimes.

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Soil salinity manаgement manual | Part I.Soil salinity management in the Eurasian Region