**7. Discussion**

Excessive salts can be deposited on the soil surface due to rainfall or irrigation, or salt can be injected into the soil due to oil and gas exploration or mining, both of which lead to salinization. Using salt-based insecticides and fertilizers can also contribute to salinization. Soil salinization is now a major issue in environmental and socioeconomic sustainability around the world. Soil salinization is the process of the soil becoming excessively salty. This can be caused by a number of factors, including overpumping of groundwater, the use of salty irrigation water, and the addition of salt to the soil through fertilizer and other means. The effects of soil salinization are wide-ranging and can have serious consequences for both the environment and human health [9, 80]. Salinization can lead to the formation of salt lakes and ponds, which can damage infrastructure and disrupt water supplies. It can also damage plants and animals and can increase the risk of waterborne diseases. Soil salinization is a growing problem around the world, and it is becoming increasingly important to address it. There are a number of ways to combat soil salinization, and it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest research and developments [81]. Some of the most commonly used methods include (**Table 2**).

Salt lakes are a byproduct of salinization, which can also contribute to the formation of other environmental dangers such as toxic dust storms and the contamination of water supplies and agricultural land. The development of salt-sensitive habitats is one way in which salinization affects human health. Various efforts have been made to address the global problem of salinization. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a number of initiatives to help address the issue, including the Salinization of Soil Information and Capacity Building Centre (SalinSICB), which provides training and resources to help farmers and communities


#### **Table 2.**

*Proper management of soil from salinity.*

protect their soil from salinization, and the Salinization [80]. The Salinization of Soil Information and Capacity Building Centre (SalinSICB) was launched in March 2008 to support the development of effective soil salinization management practices in countries across the world. The centre provides access to soil salinization information and training to government officials, scientists, farmers, and other practitioners. It also works to build the capacity of countries to manage salinization and address its impacts [76, 82]. Salt stress is a major environmental stressor for plants. It has a negative effect on the environment and is a major contributor to reducing crop production. Plants are unable to grow and develop normally under salt stress, and their levels of secondary metabolites, which serve as important physiological markers of salt stress resistance, are typically altered as a result. Recent successes in identifying and characterizing salt-resistant systems in plants have paved the way for the creation of salt-resistant crops. Here, the chapter discussed the salt stress affects secondary metabolites and several vital plant medicines. During stress, increased cytosolic synthesis of secondary metabolites (anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolics, and unambiguous phenolic acids) may protect cells from ion-induced oxidative damage by binding the ions and lowering cytoplasmic structural toxicity. Anthocyanins, flavones, phenols, and phenolic acids cause this. Plants adapt to salt stress by changing their metabolism. Understanding these systems may help researchers enhance agricultural output in salt-affected areas.
