Abstract: To promote the improvement and utilization of salt-affected land in Songnen Plain, northeast China, we summarized the research results of salt-affected land in Songnen Plain, sorted out techniques of the improvement and utilization, and put forward several questions needed further research. The salt-affected land in the Songnen Plain was formed 10000 years ago, and its development was intensified in the past 1000 years. Water flushing and washing is a feasible and effective technique for improving the salt-affected land to develop paddy field. Sand mulching near the salt-affected land and straw mixing are most possible measures to improve salt-affected land for dryland. A cost-benefit model for improving salt-affected land was established, and an improvement strategy focusing on the forming causes of the salt-affected land was proposed. Towards improvement and utilization, the salt-affected land classification and grading, and restriction of ions to crop production need to be further studied.

Key words: Songnen Plain, salt-affected land, improvement, salt-affected land grading