Abstract

Soil salinity adversely affects crop production for inland and coastal agricultural areas. To comprehend the behaviors of salt transport processes in soils leading to preparedness of such problemsolving measure, numerous simulation models have been developed as decision making tools. The advantage of computer software is that it can be used to fill data gaps in measurements in terms of spatial and temporal resolution and to analyze different leaching and management scenarios. However, the capabilities and limitations of each model are different and carry their own characteristic features. To suitably select a model for a specific application, analyst could understand in details of soil water and salt flow processes as well as capabilities of computer simulation models. The objective of this paper is to summarize water and salt transport models in soils. The features of salinity management software are discussed and compared. The examples of computer software applications for salinity management are also presented. The review will provide technical knowledge to aid analyst in appropriately applying and selecting computer simulation software for managing salinity problems.