Quantitative evaluation of soil salinity and its spatial distribution using electromagnetic induction method

In the Lower Yellow River Delta, soil salinity is a problem due to the presence of a shallow, saline water table and marine sediments. Spatial information on soil salinity at the field level is increasingly needed, particularly for better soil management and crop allocation in this area. In this paper, a mobile electromagnetic induction (EMI) system including EM38 and EM31 is employed to perform field electromagnetic (EM) survey, and fast determination and quantitative evaluation of the spatial pattern of soil salinity is discussed using the field EM survey data. Optimal operation modes of EM38 and EM31 are determined to establish multiple linear regression models for estimating salinity from apparent soil electrical conductivity (EC_a). Spatial trend and semivariogram are illustrated and spatial distribution of field salinity status is further visualized and quantitatified. The results suggest that EC_a (EM38 and EM31) data is highly correlated with salinity, and that the interpretation precision of soil salinity at various layers can be improved using EM_38h and EM_31h (where h represents the horizontal mode of EM measurement). Both EM_38h and EM_31h exhibit significant geographic trend. Nested spherical models fit the semivariance of EM_38h and EM_31h better than single spherical models. Spatial autocorrelation of EM_31h is stronger than that of EM_38h, and short-range variation is the chief constitute of spatial heterogeneity for both EM_38h and EM_31h. Quantitative classification shows that soil salinity exhibits the trend of accumulation in the root zone. In 0-1.0 m solum, heavy salinized and saline soils are the predominant soil types, accounting for 54% and 41% of total survey area, respectively. The area of light and moderate salinized soils is comparatively small, which accounts for only 0.4% and 4.6%, respectively.     

The effect of microorganisms,salinity and turbidity on hydraulic conductivity of irrigation channel soil

The introduction of polysaccharide producing benthic algae and bacteria could provide a low cost technique for seepage control in irrigation channels. The ability of algae and bacteria to produce polysaccharides proved to be successful in reducing the hydraulic conductivity of irrigation channel soil. Hydraulic conductivity was reduced to less than 22% of its original value within a month of inoculating soil columns with algae. Chlorophyll and polysaccharide concentrations in irrigation channel soil were measured in order to assess the growth of algae and extent of polysaccharide production, and their correlation with hydraulic conductivity of channel soil. Increases in polysaccharide occurred in the top layer (0–5 mm) of the soil column. The reduction of hydraulic conductivity was highly correlated with the amount of polysaccharides produced (r ² = 0.92). Hydraulic conductivity decreased with increasing algal and bacterial numbers. The first few millimetres of the soil core where microbial activity was concentrated, seemed effective in controlling seepage. Incorporation of extra nitrate and phosphate into algal medium did not increase the production of polysaccharides by algae in channel soil. The effect of salinity and turbidity of irrigation channel water on channel seepage was studied by measuring the effects on hydraulic conductivity of channel soils. When the electrical conductivity (EC) of the water increased above a threshold value, the hydraulic conductivity increased because of the flocculating effects on clay particles in channel soils. A relationship between sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and EC of the channel water was established which indicated 15% increase in channel seepage due to increases in salinity. Increasing the turbidity of irrigation water (by increasing the concentration of dispersed clay) resulted in lowering the hydraulic conductivity of the channel soil due to the sealing of soil pores by dispersed clay particles. When the turbidity of the water was 10 g clay l^–1, the hydraulic conductivity was reduced by 100%. An increase in clay concentration above 1 g l^–1 resulted in significant reduction in hydraulic conductivity. Soil bowl experiments indicated that clay sealing with a coating of hydrophobic polymer on the surface could also effectively prevent seepage of saline water.     

沿海滩涂土壤盐分空间分布的三维随机模拟与不确定性评价

为揭示滨海滩涂地区土壤盐分三维空间分布特点并提供相关技术方法与思路,以苏北海涂围垦区典型地块为例,综合采用三维克里格和随机模拟方法对土体盐分含量的三维空间分布进行估值、模拟与对比分析,并对土体盐分三维分布的空间不确定性进行评价。结果显示,由克里格法得到的土壤盐分空间分布具有明显平滑效应,减小了数据间的空间差异并改变了数据的空间结构;序贯高斯模拟结果整体分布相对离散,突出了原始数据分布的波动性;研究区土壤盐分随深度增加而升高,存在一定次生盐渍化风险;围垦后研究区土壤盐渍化的发生概率已有所降低,轻度盐化土和中     

Effect of saline water irrigation and manure application on the available water content, soil salinity, and growth of wheat

Good water management combined with appropriate soil management is necessary for sustainable crop production in drylands. A pot culture experiment was conducted using sand dune soil under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to the application of farmyard manure (FYM) or poultry manure (PM), and irrigation with water at two salinity levels (0.11 and 2.0 dS m⁻¹) and two irrigation intervals (daily and every second day). The manure was applied at a rate of 20 Mg ha⁻¹. The soil water content, measured 1 h before every irrigation, showed that soil treated with PM retained more water than that treated with FYM, while the control (no manure) contained the least water. FYM treatment resulted in 78 and 21% higher dry matter yield compared to the control and PM treatments, respectively, under daily irrigation using good-quality water. The increase was 29 and 55%, respectively, when saline water was used for daily irrigation. A similar trend was observed with the alternate day irrigation treatment; FYM gave the highest dry matter yield. The number of tillers and plant height showed that FYM was better than PM, which in turn was better than the control under irrigation with good-quality water regardless of the irrigation interval. When water of the highest salinity was used for irrigation, FYM was still always the best, but the control was now better than the PM treatment. The electrical conductivity of the soil measured at the end of the experiment was slightly higher with PM, as compared to the FYM and control treatments. A significant interaction between irrigation water quality and manure application was observed, affecting plant growth. PM aggravated the adverse affect of saline water on plant growth by increasing soil salinity.     

Effects of salinity on fruit yield and quality of tomato grown in soil-less culture in greenhouses in Mediterranean climatic conditions

There is increasing pressure to reduce water use and environmental impact associated with open system, soil-less production in simple, plastic greenhouses on the Mediterranean coast. This may force the adoption of re-circulation of nutrient solutions. In south-eastern Spain, irrigation water is mostly from aquifers and has moderate levels of salinity. The adoption of re-circulation using moderately saline water requires detailed information of crop response to salinity, in order to optimise management. The effect of salinity on fruit yield, yield components and fruit quality of tomato grown in soil-less culture in plastic greenhouses in Mediterranean climate conditions was evaluated. Two spring growing periods (experiments 1 and 2) and one long season, autumn to spring growing period (experiment 3) studies were conducted. Two cultivars, ‘Daniela’ (experiment 1) and ‘Boludo’ (experiments 2 and 3), were used. Seven levels of electrical conductivity (EC) in the nutrient solution were compared in experiment 1 (2.5–8.0 dS m⁻¹) and five levels in experiments 2 and 3 (2.5–8.5 dS m⁻¹). Total and marketable yield decreased linearly with increasing salinity above a threshold EC value (EC_t). There were only small effects of climate and cultivar on the EC_t value for yield. Average threshold EC values for total and marketable fruit yield were, respectively, 3.2 and 3.3 dS m⁻¹. The linear reductions of total and marketable yield with EC above EC_t showed significant differences between experiments, the slope varying from 7.2% (autumn to spring period, ‘Boludo’) to 9.9% (spring period, ‘Boludo’) decreases per dS m⁻¹ increase in EC for total yield, and from 8.1% (spring period, ‘Daniela’) to 11.8% (spring period, ‘Boludo’) for marketable yield. The decrease of fresh fruit yield with salinity was mostly due to a linear decrease of the fruit weight of 6.1% per dS m⁻¹ from an EC_t of 3.0 dS m⁻¹ for marketable fruits. Reduction in fruit number with salinity made a smaller relative contribution to reduced yield. Blossom-end rot (BER) increased with increasing salinity. There was a higher incidence of BER with spring grown crops, and ‘Boludo’ was more sensitive than ‘Daniela’. Increasing salinity improved various aspects of fruit quality, such as: (i) proportion of ‘Extra’ fruits (high visual quality), (ii) soluble solids content, and (iii) titratable acidity content. However, salinity decreased fruit size, which is a major determinant of price. An economic analysis indicated that the EC threshold value above which the value of fruit production decreased linearly with increasing salinity was 3.3 dS m⁻¹, which was the same as that for marketable yield. In the economic analysis, the value of increased visual fruit quality was offset by reduced yield and smaller fruit size.     

微咸水灌溉下土壤水盐动态及对作物产量的影响

华北平原农业灌溉用水非常紧缺,水资源日益缺乏与粮食需求日益增多之间的矛盾尖锐。充分利用微咸水资源是缓解这一矛盾的重要途径之一。该文以中国农业大学曲周试验站1997－2005年冬小麦和夏玉米微咸水灌溉田间长期定位试验为基础,研究了充分淡水、充分淡咸水、关键期淡水、关键期淡咸水和不灌溉等5个处理下土壤饱和电导率和含盐量的动态变化,探讨了微咸水灌溉对冬小麦和夏玉米产量的影响。结果表明：土壤水盐动态呈受灌溉和降雨影响的短期波动和受季节更替影响的长期波动;在正常降雨年份,使用微咸水进行灌溉是可行的,不会导致土壤的次生盐渍化;微咸水灌溉虽然导致冬小麦和夏玉米产量降低10%～15%,但节约淡水资源60%～75%。如果降雨量达到多年平均水平以及微咸水灌溉制度制订合理,微咸水用于冬小麦/玉米田间灌溉前景广阔。     

Effect of irrigation methods,management and salinity of irrigation water on tomato yield,soil moisture and salinity distribution

The increasing demand for irrigation water to secure food for growing populations with limited water supply suggests re-thinking the use of non-conventional water resources. The latter includes saline drainage water, brackish groundwater and treated waste water. The effects of using saline drainage water (electrical conductivity of 4.2–4.8 dS m⁻¹) to irrigate field-grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill cv Floradade) using drip and furrow irrigation systems were evaluated, together with the distribution of soil moisture and salt. The saline water was either diluted to different salinity levels using fresh water (blended) or used cyclically with fresh water. The results of two seasons of study (2001 and 2002) showed that increasing salinity resulted in decreased leaf area index, plant dry weight, fruit total yield and individual fruit weight. In all cases, the growth parameters and yield as well as the water use efficiency were greater for drip irrigated tomato plants than furrow-irrigated plants. However, furrow irrigation produced higher individual fruit weight. The electrical conductivity of the soil solution (extracted 48 h after irrigation) showed greater fluctuations when cyclic water management was used compared to those plots irrigated with blended water. In both drip and furrow irrigation, measurements of soil moisture one day after irrigation, showed that soil moisture was higher at the top 20 cm layer and at the location of the irrigation water source; soil moisture was at a minimum in the root zone (20–40 cm layer), but showed a gradual increase at 40–60 and 60–90 cm and was stable at 90–120 cm depth. Soil water content decreased gradually as the distance from the irrigation water source increased. In addition, a few days after irrigation, the soil moisture content decreased, but the deficit was most pronounced in the surface layer. Soil salinity at the irrigation source was lower at a depth of 15 cm (surface layer) than that at 30 and 60 cm, and was minimal in deeper layers (i.e. 90 cm). Salinity increased as the distance from the irrigation source increased particularly in the surface layer. The results indicated that the salinity followed the water front. We concluded that the careful and efficient management of irrigation with saline water can leave the groundwater salinity levels unaffected and recommended the use of drip irrigation as the fruit yield per unit of water used was on average one-third higher than when using furrow irrigation.     

基于电磁感应的典型干旱区土壤盐分空间异质性

为研究干旱区土壤盐分空间异质性，指导农业生产实践，运用大地电导率仪（EM38、EM31）对研究区域进行移动式磁感调查，获取表观电导率（ECa）。同时，通过27个校准点的采样和ECa测量，建立土壤盐分的电磁感应解译模型。干旱区土壤盐分质量分数与EM38、EM31水平模式读数（H38、H31）显示出良好的相关性（R=0.935），可以利用ECa结合GIS和地统计学知识研究土壤盐分的空间分布。采用两种方法进行研究：一种是先利用解译模型获取磁感调查点的土壤盐分质量分数，然后进行地统计分析研究其空间分布；另一种是先利用地统计分析研究H38和H31的空间分布，然后利用解译模型通过栅格运算计算盐分质量分数，精度检验显示前者预测值与实测值之间的相关性更好（R2， 0.888＞0.873）；标准差较低（std. 0.414＜0.426），具有更高的预测精度。研究结果表明，基于电磁感应研究干旱区土壤盐分空间异质性是切实可行的，这对于土壤盐渍化的快速诊断，指导农业生产和促进精准农业的发展具有重要的意义。     

A cross disciplinary framework for linking farms with regional groundwater and salinity management targets

Irrigation delivers major benefits in food security and human development. Irrigation also leads to waterlogging and salinity which threaten the sustainability of irrigated agriculture and pose major socioeconomic and environmental risks. The issue can be addressed by limiting net recharge to groundwater such that the water and salt keep natural equilibria. Often the information on net recharge within catchments is unavailable, particularly at lower spatial scales such as the farm or paddock; this offers little guidance for on-farm land and water management decisions—basic decisions that ultimately impact regional net recharge and waterlogging and salinity dynamics. This paper develops a cross disciplinary framework based on the concept of net recharge for setting paddock scale targets and to link these to the regional targets and community's goals for sustainable irrigation management. A management model, cast in a dynamic programming format to integrate a detailed hydrological model with an economic model was applied to estimate the productivity, profitability and sustainability of irrigated agriculture in a region of the Murray Darling Basin in Australia. SWAGMAN^® Farm model was used to determine paddock scale net recharge. This interactive model enables an individual farmer to choose a profit optimizing crop mix while lowering net recharge; this in turn leads to a win-win outcome for all farmers. The net recharge metric can be used for the conversion of diffuse source groundwater recharge to a point source recharge at paddock scale, enabling the definition of private property rights to a common pool problem and assigning individual responsibilities for its management—a vexing issue and a new concept for the commons literature. Net recharge shows significant spatial and temporal variation which warrants a targeted/zonal approach to address the issue. Regional and targeted strategies and actions to address the issue are identified. Apart from its applied and action research orientation, the development of paddock scale net recharge metric is perhaps the most significant conceptual contribution of this research which can lead to shared management of groundwater aquifers.     

利用盘式负压仪测定土壤导水率的计算方法对比

土壤导水率作为重要的水力特征参数之一,准确测量和计算不仅有助于促进土壤非饱和带的水分运动过程理论研究,同时可为合理确定农田灌排技术参数提供科学依据.为了比较分析在盘式入渗仪下不同导水率计算方法的适用性,针对2种土地类型(菜地、茶园)进行了4个负压水头(-9,-6,-3,0 cm)、2个盘径(10,20 cm)的入渗试验,并通过不同计算方法计算导水率.结果表明:盘径对导水率影响不具有统计学意义,且不同计算方法结果趋于一致,因此在野外缺水条件下,可考虑选用小圆盘进行试验;对于不同的土地类型,建议选择不同的方法测量,作为耕作地的菜地,计算导水率时建议使用稳态流方法,而茶园导水率的测定则推荐使用瞬态流方法;在相同负压下,不同土地利用方式对导水率的影响具有统计学意义,且对于不同的计算方法,2种土地类型在4个负压下表现的导水率变化规律一致.     

土壤水盐空间异质性及尺度效应的多重分形

为了揭示研究区域林地内土壤含水率和电导率的空间分布特征及尺度效应,利用多重分形方法,对杨凌一林地内不同采样时间和不同采样面积下土壤含水率和电导率的空间异质性进行了研究。结果表明：3种采样面积下土壤含水率和电导率的空间异质性都分别随平均含水率和电导率的增大而减弱。随采样面积的增大,平均含水率和电导率较高时,土壤含水率的空间异质性趋于增强,土壤电导率的尺度效应不明显;平均含水率和电导率较低时,土壤含水率和电导率的空间分布都存在明显的斑块结构。不同采样时间和不同采样面积下土壤含水率和电导率的多重分形谱的形态有所差异,表明引起他们空间异质性的信息有所不同。多重分形分析能揭示出较多的采样林地内土壤含水率和电导率分布的局部信息。     

Water and salt balance at irrigation scheme scale: A comprehensive approach for salinity assessment in a Saharan oasis

Salt balance methods are generally applied in the root-zone and at local scales but do not provide relevant information for salinity management at irrigation scheme scales, where there are methodological impediments. A simple salt balance model was developed at irrigation scheme and yearly time scales and applied in Fatnassa oasis (Nefzaoua, Tunisia). It accounts for input by irrigation, export by drainage and groundwater flow, and provides novel computation of the influence of biogeochemical processes and variations in the resident amount of salt for each chemical component in the soil and shallow groundwater. Impediments were overcome by limiting the depth of the system so that the resident amount of salt that remained was of the same order of magnitude as salt inputs and allowed indirect and reliable estimation of groundwater flow. Sensitivity analyses as partial derivatives of groundwater salinity were carried out according to non-reactive salt balance under steady-state assumption. These analyses enabled the magnitude of the salinization process to be foreseen as a function of hydrological changes linked to irrigation, drainage, groundwater flow and extension of the irrigated area. From a salt input of 39 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ by irrigation, 21 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (54%) and 10 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (26%) were exported by groundwater flow and drainage, respectively. 7 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ (18%) were removed from groundwater by geochemical processes, while a non-significant 2 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ were estimated to have been stored in the soil and shallow groundwater where the residence time was only 2.7 years. The leaching efficiency of drainage was estimated at 0.77. With a water supply of 1360 mm by irrigation and 90 mm by rainfall, drainage, groundwater flow and actual evapotranspiration were 130, 230, and 1090 mm, respectively. The current extension of date palm plantations and salinization of groundwater resources are expected to significantly increase the salinity hazard while the degradation of the drainage system is expected to be of lesser impact. The approach was successfully implemented in Fatnassa oasis and proved to be particularly relevant in small or medium irrigation schemes where groundwater fluxes are significant.     

Response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum bicolor</Emphasis> varieties to soil salinity for feed and food production in Karakalpakstan,Uzbekistan

Water and land salinization, caused by ill-practiced irrigation and drainage is acute and widespread in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. A crop frequently grown in these marginal areas is sorghum because of its capability to adapt to saline conditions. However, the salt uptake potential of local varieties for salt-ameliorative purposes, as well as possible income-generation benefits, have not yet been studied. Therefore, field experiments on low, medium and highly saline soils were conducted using four sorghum cultivars (S. vulgare, S. cernuum, S. durra, and S. technicum). The effect of soil salinity on biomass, stover and grain yield, the baking and feed quality, and total water soluble salt (TDS) accumulation, was assessed according to varieties, plant fractions and growth phases. Results showed that S. cernuum had the highest grain yield on the low (5.13 t ha⁻¹), medium (6.05 t ha⁻¹) and highly (3.3 t ha⁻¹) saline soil. S. technicum showed the lowest growth potential under all salinity levels. TDS accumulation varied between 406 and 185 kg ha⁻¹ depending on variety, site, plant fractions and growth stage. Irrespective of the soil salinity levels and varieties, TDS was highest in stover and leaves, while highest TDS uptake, mainly chlorides and bicarbonates, occurred between booting and flowering. Baking quality of all varieties was extremely low, whereas the in-vitro feed was assessed as of medium quality. The findings indicate the scope of local sorghum varieties for phytomelioration of marginal lands in Karakalpakstan, while concurrently satisfying a wider range of rural livelihood needs.     

Evaluating salinity distribution in soil irrigated with saline water in arid regions of northwest China

In arid and semi-arid regions, salinity is a serious and chronic problem for agriculture. A 3-year field experiment in the arid environment of Xinjiang, northwest China, was conducted to study the salinity change in soil resulting from deficit irrigation of cotton with non-saline, moderate saline and high saline water. The salinity profile distribution was also evaluated by an integrated water, salinity, and nitrogen model, ENVIRO-GRO. The simulated and observed salinity distributions matched well. Results indicated that after 3 years of cotton production, the average salinity in the 1.0-m soil profile was 336% and 547% of the original soil profile, respectively, for moderate saline and high saline water irrigation. If the practices continued, the average soil salinity (EC_e) in the 1.0-m soil profile would approach a steady level of 1.7, 10.8, and 14.7 dS m⁻¹, respectively, for the treatments receiving irrigation waters of 0.33, 3.62, and 6.71 dS m⁻¹. It was concluded that deficit irrigation of saline water in this region was not sustainable. Model simulation showed that a big flood irrigation after harvest can significantly reduce the salt accumulation in the soil profile, and that this practice was much more efficient for salinity control than applying the same extra amount of water during the growing season.     

Comparison of spatial interpolation methods for yield response factor of winter wheat and its spatial distribution in Haihe basin of north China

Yield response factor (K _y) is an important basis for implementing efficient irrigation and optimal water allocation. Because K _y varies in different sites, understanding its spatial distribution plays an important role in optimization irrigation in Haihe basin. After determining the K _y and ET₀ of winter wheat, an exponentially increasing function was found between the two parameters. Then, spherical and exponential semivariograms were chosen as proper theoretical models for ET₀ and K _y, respectively, with R ² of more than 0.970. By comparing six interpolation methods as well as two procedures, i.e. ‘calculate first, interpolate later’ (CI) and ‘interpolate first, calculate later’ (IC), IC-RK (residual kriging) was considered as an optimal method in interpolating K _y. Mapping of K _y for winter wheat indicated an increasing trend from the western and northern mountainous region to the eastern plain region in the basin, with the K _y of 0.783–1.668 for the dry growing season, 0.760–1.460 for the average growing season and 0.749–1.293 for the wet growing season. Moreover, the K _y values were more than 1.0 over the most of this basin, indicating that yield loss was more important than evapotranspiration deficit, and there were greater effect of water stress on the yield of winter wheat.     

环渤海微咸水区土壤盐分及盐渍化程度的空间格局

为了探求环渤海低平原区微咸水的农业利用潜力、缓解水资源危机,就需要掌握该区土壤盐分及其盐渍化程度的空间分布格局。本文通过对该平原微咸水区选取127个代表性样点,采集0～60 cm深度内的8层土样进行土壤全盐量测定,并对130个水井的水位埋深及128个地下水样的矿化度进行了测定。采用地质统计学和GIS相结合的方法研究了该区土壤全盐量及其盐渍化程度的空间分布格局。结果表明,除表层土层盐分含量属于强变异强度外,环渤海低平原区其余土层盐分含量均属于中等变异强度。土层盐分的空间自相关距离从表层（0～5 cm）的35.3 km 增加到深层（50～ 60 cm）的59.7 km。研究区各层土壤盐分含量自内陆平原向东部滨海平原逐渐增加,上下土层盐分含量呈相同的空间变化趋势。表层土层属于非盐化土、轻度盐化土和中度盐化土的比例基本相等,而重度盐化土面积较小,5～60 cm土层无重度盐化土分布。总体上,环渤海低平原以轻度盐化土和非盐化土为主,0～60 cm空间上盐分积聚不强,浅层微咸水灌溉存在很大利用空间。     

Managing salinity and waterlogging in the Indus Basin of Pakistan

Waterlogging and salinization are major impediment to the sustainability of irrigated lands and livelihoods of the farmers, especially the smallholders, in the affected areas of the Indus Basin. These problems are the result of a multitude of factors, including seepage from unlined earthen canals system, inadequate provision of surface and subsurface drainage, poor water management practices, insufficient water supplies and use of poor quality groundwater for irrigation. About 6.3 million ha are affected by different levels and types of salinity, out of which nearly half are under irrigated agriculture. Since the early 1960s, several efforts have been made to improve the management of salt-affected and waterlogged soils. These include lowering groundwater levels through deep tubewells, leaching of salts by excess irrigation, application of chemical amendments (e.g. gypsum, acids, organic matter), and the use of biological and physical methods. However, in spite of huge investments, the results have in general been disappointing and the problems of waterlogging and salinity persist.This paper reviews sources, causes and extent of salinity and waterlogging problems in the Indus Basin. Measures taken to overcome these problems over the last four decades are also discussed. The results reveal that the installed drainage systems were initially successful in lowering groundwater table and reducing salinity in affected areas. However, poor operation and maintenance of these systems and provision of inadequate facilities for the disposal of saline drainage effluent resulted in limited overall success. The paper suggests that to ensure the sustainability of irrigated agriculture in the Indus Basin, technical and financial support is needed and enhanced institutional arrangements including coordination among different federal and provincial government agencies to resolve inter-provincial water allocation and water related issues is required.     

Model for assessing impact of salinity on soil water availability and crop yield

The salinity condition in the root zone hinders moisture extraction from soil by plants, because of osmotic potential development in soil water due to presence of salts, which ultimately, decreases transpiration of plants and thereby affects crop yield. Therefore, an effort was made in this study to quantify the impact of salinity on soil water availability to plants. The movement of salts under irrigation and evapotranspiration regimes in root zone of soil profile was studied throughout the growing season of wheat crop with adopting exponential pattern of root water uptake. A model was developed to analyze soil water balance to find out moisture deficit because of salinity. A non-linear relationship was formulated between moisture content and salt concentration for simultaneous prediction. The Crank–Nicolson method of Finite Differencing was used to solve the differential equations of soil water and solute transport. The effect of various salt concentrations on transpiration was analyzed to develop a relationship between relative evapotranspiration and relative yield. Relationships among salt concentration, matric potential, moisture deficit and actual transpiration were also established to provide better understanding about impact of salinization and to provide guidelines for obtaining better crop yields in saline soils.     

Assessing basin irrigation and scheduling strategies for saving irrigation water and controlling salinity in the upper Yellow River Basin, China

Water saving in irrigation is a key concern in the Yellow River basin. Excessive water diversions for irrigation waste water and produce waterlogging problems during the crop season and soil salinization in low lands. Supply control and inadequate functionality of the drainage system were identified as main factors for poor water management at farm level. Their improvement condition the adoption of water saving and salinity control practices. Focusing on the farm scale, studies to assess the potential for water savings included: (a) field evaluation of current basin irrigation practices and further use of the simulation models SRFR and SIRMOD to generate alternative improvements for the surface irrigation systems and (b) the use of the ISAREG model to simulate the present and improved irrigation scheduling alternatives taking into consideration salinity control. Models were used interactively to define alternatives for the irrigation systems and scheduling that would minimize percolation and produce water savings. Foreseen improvements refer to basin inflow discharges, land leveling and irrigation scheduling that could result in water savings of 33% relative to actual demand. These improvements would also reduce percolation and maintain water table depths below 1 m thereby reducing soil salinization.     

掺沙对盐渍化土壤水盐分布及其蒸发特性的影响

为了探明盐渍土水盐分布和土壤蒸发特性对掺沙的响应特征,以山东省滨州市无棣县"渤海粮仓"科技示范区土壤为研究对象,分析了不同掺沙量(沙-土质量比为0,10％,30％,50％和70％,分别以处理CK,T1,T2,T3和T4表示)对盐渍土水盐运移特征和土壤蒸发的影响.结果表明,0～5000 min,处理T1和T2表层0～1 ...