The effects of plant growth on soil quality in the Sagzi plain of Isfahan (Iran) were determined to evaluate the influence of agriculture on the desertification processes in dry lands. Inappropriate crop management significantly affected soil and water salinization which is one of the important processes of desertification. To determine if agriculture is a positive or negative factor for the reclamation of saline soils, improved and degraded factors of desertification in Sagzi plain of Isfahan were considered. Medicago, wheat and barley were evaluated to determine which crop is more effective for soil reclamation. Wheat and barley were selected and compared with derelict land, which was and independent variable in this study. The soils considered were cultivated with these products successively for at least 5 years. Soil samples were then obtained at different depths (0-3, 30-60, 60-90, 90-120, 120-150 cm) and were analysed for CaCO 3, electrical conductivity, organic matter, K +, Mg +, Ca 2+, Na +, CaSO 4, Cl -, sodium adsorption ratio, HCO 3- and SO 4-. Variance analysis showed significant difference between treatments at different depths and that among the three crops, wheat cropping is the best for soil reclamation.
