Increasing soil salinity is a global challenge. The salinisation of agricultural soils affects more than 1.5 billion people worldwide. Many of us do not realise it, but in winter, ions carried by rock salt used to ice roads can exacerbate the problem. Studies conducted by researchers at Eötvös Loránd University have shown how high salt concentrations affect, among other things, the development of wheat seedlings sprouting deep in the soil and which salts are most harmful to plants.

Soil salinisation affects not only agriculture, but also local crops in gardens in the immediate vicinity of roads, where large quantities of salt are applied in winter to de-ice roads. Research shows that high salt concentrations directly affect the development of seedlings, even leading to their death.

Results show that greening, i.e. the biosynthesis of chlorophyll and the development of photosynthetically active colour bodies, the chloroplasts, is inhibited in wheat leaves grown in the dark and then directly exposed to high salt concentrations, which can lead to seedling death.

Despite the negative consequences, the effectiveness of rock salt in preventing accidents is indisputable. Sodium, the most commonly used salt, has the most negative effects, while potassium salts and calcium chloride are more environmentally friendly anti-icing compounds.

According to the researchers, these findings could help growers and road maintenance professionals manage snow removal and de-icing in a more sustainable way, minimising environmental damage and supporting plant health.

+1: Rock salt in contact with precipitation water also damages the vehicle. The resulting ions accelerate the formation of iron oxide and erode the metal parts of the car. The best thing to do to prevent this from happening is to wash and wax the car frequently, especially the chassis and underbody parts.