Dynamic changes in water and salinity in saline-alkali soils after simulated irrigation and leaching

Abstract

Soil salinization is a global problem that limits agricultural development and impacts human life. This study aimed to understand the dynamic changes in water and salinity in saline-alkali soil based on an indoor soil column simulation. We studied the changes in the water and salt contents of soils with different degrees of salinization under various irrigation conditions. The results showed that after seven irrigations, the pH, conductivity and total soluble salt content of the percolation samples after irrigation generally increased initially then decreased with repeated irrigation. The soil moisture did not change significantly after irrigation. The pH, conductivity, and total soluble salt content of each layer of the soil profile exhibited general declining trends. In the soil profile from Changguo Township (CG), the pH decreased from 8.21–8.35 to 7.71–7.88, the conductivity decreased from 0.95–1.14 ms/cm to 0.45–0.68 ms/cm, and the total soluble salt content decreased from 2.63–2.81 g/kg to 2.28–2.51 g/kg. In the soil profile from Zhongjie Industrial Park (ZJ), the pH decreased from 8.36–8.54 to 7.73–7.96, the conductivity decreased from 1.58–1.68 ms/cm to 1.45–1.54 ms/cm, and the total soluble salt decreased from 2.81–4.03 g/kg to 2.56–3.28 g/kg. The transported salt ions were primarily K+, Na+ and Cl-. After several irrigations, a representative desalination effect was achieved. The results of this study can provide technical guidance for the comprehensive management of saline-alkali soils.

Growth and production of three wetland rice varieties on saline leached land with microbial consortium application

“…After washing, the electrical conductivity value decreased to 1135-3567 µS.cm -1 (1.1-3.6 dS.m -1 ). This is in line with research reports that desalinization occurs in the upper soil layer and salt moves to the lower soil layer as a result of leaching [24]. The result studies that leaching can reduce the value of electrical conductivity in saline soils so that it is effective for plant growth [25].…”

Management for grain sorghum cultivation under saline water irrigation

“…For an efficient management of irrigation with saline water, a volume of water above the maximum value that the soil can retain (field capacity) is applied at a frequency of three times a week to promote the leaching of salts in its profile. According to Wang et al (2017), the beneficial effects of this technique can be achieved after several irrigations because, with the application of the leaching fraction in the irrigation depth, the salts are displaced to the edges of the wet bulb, in which the root system of the crop is distributed.…”

Microbial impact on initial soil formation in arid and semiarid environments under simulated climate change

“…Such arid and semiarid environments, which cover approximately 30% of the Earth’s land surface, typically experience slow soil development due to limited soil moisture and water movement for material dissolution and leaching ( Abdelfattah, 2013 ; Sousa et al, 2021 ). However, changes in precipitation patterns can have complex effects on vegetation, chemistry, mineralogy, and soil stability ( Su et al, 2010 ; Wang et al, 2017 ; Sousa et al, 2021 ). Consequently, although soil formation is a long-term process over hundreds and thousands of years, it can be largely accelerated under optimal water availability and temperature conditions ( Buchan, 2011 ; Szalai et al, 2021 ).…”