Saline Soils and Mancos Shale

Western Colorado

The white soil in this photograph is the result of an accumulation of salts. This is NOT snow.

Many salty areas are visible in Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties - Western Colorado. The accumulation of these salts on the soil surface are due to insufficient precipitation to wash these salts below the root zone of plants. Improving the soil with a coarse organic matter and watering will usually remove these salts from the rooting zone of plants.


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April 13, 1997


email.gif Curtis E. Swift, Ph.D., Area Extension Agent, Horticulture
Colorado State Cooperative Extension
2775 US Hwy 50, Grand Junction, CO. 81503
voice: 970-244-1834
fax: 970-244-1700
Comments are appreciated.

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