REMOTE SENSING AND GIS-BASED ASSESSMENT OF SOIL SALINITY IN IRRIGATED LANDS: METHODS, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR PRECISION AGRICULTURE

Soil salinization is a major land degradation process affecting the sustainability of irrigated agriculture, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Conventional soil sampling provides essential information about salinity levels but may be insufficient for continuous monitoring of large agricultural territories because of spatial variability, sampling costs, and temporal limitations. Remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) offer complementary approaches for identifying spatial patterns of salinity, monitoring land conditions, and supporting agricultural management. This article examines the scientific and methodological foundations of integrating multispectral satellite imagery, spectral indices, geospatial analysis, and machine learning for soil salinity assessment in irrigated lands. Particular attention is given to Landsat and Sentinel-2 imagery, the interpretation of vegetation and soil reflectance indicators, the role of electrical conductivity measurements in model calibration, and the limitations associated with vegetation cover, soil moisture, and seasonal variability. The analysis indicates that reliable salinity assessment requires the integration of satellite observations with field measurements and environmental variables rather than the isolated application of spectral indices. The article proposes a methodological framework for developing spatially explicit salinity assessment systems applicable to irrigated agricultural landscapes, including those of Central Asia. The framework provides a basis for improving monitoring strategies and supporting evidence-based land management without assuming unverified local measurement results.