**3. Application of organic amendments to agricultural crops to mitigate salinity effects**

### **3.1 Organic matter**

There is an excess of salts in water which is used for irrigation purposes. It can reduce the crop yield due to its increased salt concentration [59]. Soil electrical conductivity is being increased due to the continuous increase of salts in it [60]. Water which is used for irrigation having excess salts in it resulted in negative impacts on plant physiology, soil water plant relationships, and limits the production of crops [61]. By application of organic manure in soil, the toxicity of salts can be minimized, and soil properties can be improved as cost-effective approaches [62].

There are agricultural practices that are used for the management of saltaffected soil [63]. Addition of organic martial is beneficial as a fertilizer which can modify and improve the soil characteristic. For recovery of saline soil, organic amendments like organic manure and compost are being tested as efficient methods [64]. Application of organic matter for the reclamation of sandy soil is an effective method to improve the physical properties of soil [65]. Researchers determined that poultry manure, farmyard manure (FYM), crop residues as compost are being used for the addition of nutrients in the soil. It is beneficial for improving plants' health. It can also modify physiochemical properties of plants [66]. Farmyard manure is the most commonly and easily available source of organic matter. There are different factors which can affect the efficiency of farmyard manure such as nature of feed consumed by the animal, type of animal and waste management methods [67].

### **3.2 Biochar**

There are different long-term and short-term methods for reclamation of saltaffected soil, but short-term management approaches are useful as a management strategy that are cost effective and high-income generating methods [68]. The biochar is an effective method for organic amendment of salt-affected soil that results in

