Optimizing Yield under Saline and Water-Limited Conditions

Two important abiotic factors that significantly reduce crop productivity in arid and semi-arid settings are salinity and water scarcity. Optimizing crop productivity in saline and water-limited environments has become a critical global concern due to the acceleration of climate change and the depletion of freshwater supplies. In order to maintain crop performance in these demanding conditions, this paper examines current developments in soil–water techniques, crop physiology, and irrigation management. Complex physiological responses, such as osmotic adjustment, changes in root architecture, and activation of the antioxidant defense, are displayed by plants subjected to combined salt and drought stress. These characteristics are essential for sustaining output under pressure. At the same time, it has been demonstrated that cutting-edge irrigation techniques, including alternate furrow irrigation, partial root-zone drying (PRD), and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI), improve water consumption efficiency while lowering salt accumulation in the root zone. Crop resilience is further enhanced by the use of salt-tolerant cultivars, soil additives (such as compost and gypsum), and advantageous microorganisms like plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Precise crop and soil status monitoring is made possible by remote sensing and decision-support tools, which lower risks and maximize input efficiency. This study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive, site-specific strategy that incorporates agroecological techniques, intelligent irrigation, and physiological knowledge. In order to optimize yield in saline and drought-prone environments, interdisciplinary cooperation and locally relevant solutions that are adapted to particular soil, climatic, and socioeconomic circumstances are essential. In conclusion, the study provides a thorough framework for enhancing yield under combined salinity and water stress using coordinated, scientifically supported tactics. The advancement of climate-resilient agriculture and the direction of upcoming studies, regulations, and field-level operations in marginal settings depend heavily on these findings.