覆砂下微咸水盐度和SAR对水盐入渗及分布的影响

为探讨覆砂条件下灌溉水盐度及钠吸附比对土壤水分入渗过程及水盐分布的影响规律,通过室内土柱模拟试验,研究了灌溉水盐度(EC为0,1.0,2.5,5.0,7.5 dS/m,SAR为5.8(mmol/L)^0.5)和钠吸附比(SAR为 3.9,7.0,12.7,22.7(mmol/L)^0.5,EC为2.5 dS/m)对土壤累积湿润锋和入渗量以及水盐分布的影响.结果表明,随灌溉水盐度的增加,累积湿润锋呈增加趋势,而累积入渗量呈减少趋势.与去离子水相比,7.5 dS/m处理的累积湿润锋较蒸馏水增加了7.0%,而土壤平均含水率降低了36.0%.累积湿润锋和入渗量随灌溉水钠吸附比增加先增大后减小,土壤含水率受灌溉水钠吸附比的影响较小.土壤含盐量随灌溉水盐度增加而呈幂函数增加,但与钠吸附比无明显关系.灌溉水的钠吸附比提高了土壤pH值.     

Drip irrigation with saline water for oleic sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

The field experiments were carried out in 2007 and 2008 to study the effects and strategies of drip irrigation with saline water for oleic sunflower. Five treatments of irrigation water with average salinity levels of 1.6, 3.9, 6.3, 8.6, and 10.9 dS/m were designed. For each treatment, 7 mm water was applied when the soil matric potential (SMP) 0.2 m directly underneath the drip emitters was below −20 kPa, except during the seedling stage. To ensure the seedling survival, 28 mm water was applied after sowing during the seedling stage. Results indicate that amount of applied water decreases as salinity level of irrigation water increases. The emergence will be delayed when the salinity level of irrigation water is higher than 6.3 dS/m, but these differences will be alleviated if there is rainfall during emergence period. The final emergence percentage is not changed when salinity level of irrigation is less than 6.3 dS/m, and the percentage decreases by 2.0% for every 1 dS/m increase when the salinity level of irrigation water is above 6.3 dS/m, but the decreasing rate will be reduced if there is rainfall. The plant height and yield decrease with the increase of salinity of irrigation water. The height of plants decreases by 0.6-1.0% for every 1 dS/m increase in salinity level of irrigation water. The yield decreases by 1.8% for every 1 dS/m increase in salinity level of irrigation water, and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) increases with increase in salinity of irrigation water. The soil salinity increases as the salinity of irrigation water increasing after drip irrigation with saline water in the beginning, but the soil salinity in soil profile from 0 to 120 cm depths can be maintained in a stable level in subsequent year irrigation with saline water. From the view points of yield and soil salt balance, it can be recognized even as the salinity level of irrigation water is as high as 10.9 dS/m, saline water can be applied to irrigate oleic sunflower using drip irrigation when the soil matric potential 0.2 m directly under drip emitter is kept above −20 kPa and the beds are mulched in semi-humid area.     

Effects of drip irrigation with saline water on waxy maize (Zea mays L. var. ceratina Kulesh) in North China Plain

In order to study the effects of drip irrigation with saline water on waxy maize, three years of field experiments were carried out in 2007-2009 in North China Plain. Five treatments with average salinity of irrigation water, 1.7, 4.0, 6.3, 8.6, and 10.9 dS/m were designed. Results indicated that the irrigation water with salinity <10.9 dS/m did not affect the emergence of waxy maize. As salinity of irrigation water increased, seedling biomass decreased, and the plant height, fresh and dry weight of waxy maize in the thinning time decreased by 2% for every 1 dS/m increase in salinity of irrigated water. The decreasing rate of the fresh ear yield for every 1 dS/m increase in salinity of irrigation water was about 0.4-3.3%. Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) increased with the increase in salinity of irrigation water when salinity was <10.9 dS/m. Precipitation during the growing period significantly lightened the negative impacts of irrigation-water salinity on the growth and yield. Soil salinity in depth of 0-120 cm increased in the beginning of irrigation with saline water, while it was relatively stable in the subsequent year when salinity of irrigation water was not higher than 4.0 dS/m and the soil matric potential (SMP) at 0.2 m directly underneath the drip emitter was controlled above −20 kPa.     

Effects of hysteresis on redistribution of soil moisture and deep percolation at continuous and pulse drip irrigation

The infiltration and redistribution of soil moisture under surface drip irrigation considering hysteresis were investigated in two soils (loamy sand and silt loam) of different texture. The effect of continuous versus intermittent application of 1, 2 and 4 l/h to the soils was evaluated in terms of wetting front advance patterns and deep percolation under the root zone. For this purpose, a cylindrical flow model incorporating hysteresis in the soil water retention characteristic curve, evaporation from the soil surface, and water extraction by roots was used. The results show that, compared with continuous irrigation, pulse irrigation slightly reduces the water losses under the root zone in both cases (with and without hysteresis). Also, at the total simulation time, in both types of irrigation, hysteresis reduces significantly the water losses under the root zone. Finally, the effect of hysteresis was found to be greater at higher discharge rate (4 l/h) and consequently at higher water content at the soil surface.     

膜下滴灌不同盐度土壤棉田水盐运移规律研究

通过对棉田整个生育期的土壤盐分和土壤水分测定,研究不同盐度土壤膜下滴灌棉田不同土层水分和盐分变化及其对棉花生长的影响。结果表明,盐分在0～20cm土层降幅较大;40～80cm土层为膜下滴灌棉田盐分积聚区。整个生育期2种土壤盐分在前期(现蕾期)快速下降,后期有所增加,中度土壤和轻度土壤的各层平均含盐量都有着极显著的差异。中度和轻度盐渍化土壤在棉花整个生育期内平均土壤含水率变化无显著差异。中度盐渍化和轻度盐渍化棉田的单株干物质积累量在生长前期差异显著,后期不显著。     

滴灌条件下斥水土壤水盐运移试验研究

通过室内滴灌入渗的三维水盐运移试验,分析了斥水和亲水土壤在相同滴头流量下的湿润锋变化规律,研究了轻微斥水土壤的湿润锋随时间变化规律、含水率的三维空间分布特征以及不同斥水度土壤中含盐量和Cl-浓度分布特点。结果表明,在相同的滴头流量(0.07mL/min)下,亲水土壤与轻微斥水土壤的水平、垂直湿润锋与入渗时间具有良好的幂函数关系;亲水土壤与轻微斥水的土壤含盐量与距滴头距离符合良好的二阶多项式关系;虽然定量结果不同,但总体上轻微斥水的土壤在入渗中仍与亲水土壤具有相似的水分、盐分分布特征。在轻微斥水的农田中,滴灌灌水技术仍可为作物创造有利的水盐环境。     

The effect of salinity on water productivity of wheat under deficit irrigation above shallow groundwater

Saline groundwater is often found at shallow depth in irrigated areas of arid and semi-arid regions and is associated with problems of soil salinisation and land degradation. The conventional solution is to maintain a deeper water-table through provision of engineered drainage disposal systems, but the sustainability of such systems is disputed. This shallow groundwater should, however, be seen as a valuable resource, which can be utilised via capillary rise (i.e. sub-irrigation). In this way, it is possible to meet part of the crop water requirement, even where the groundwater is saline, thus decreasing the need for irrigation water and simultaneously alleviating the problem of disposing of saline drainage effluent. Management of conditions within the root zone can be achieved by means of a controlled drainage system.A series of lysimeter experiments have permitted a detailed investigation of capillary upward flow from a water-table controlled at shallow depth (1.0 m) under conditions of moderately high (5 mm/day) evaporative demand and with different levels of salinity. Experiments were conducted on a wheat crop grown in a sandy loam soil. Groundwater salinity was held at values from 2 to 8 dS/m while supplementary (deficit) irrigation was applied at the surface with salinity in the range 1-4 dS/m.Our experiments show that increased salinity decreased total water uptake by the crop, but in most treatments wheat still extracted 40% of its requirement from the groundwater, similar to the proportion reported for non-saline conditions. Yield depression was limited to 30% of maximum when the irrigation water was of relatively good quality (1 and 2 dS/m) even with saline groundwater (up to 6 dS/m). Crop water productivity (grain yield basis) was around 0.35 kg/m³ over a wide range of salinity conditions when calculated conventionally on the basis of total water use, but was generally above 1.0 kg/m³ if calculated on the basis of irrigation input only.     

负水头环境土壤水分湿润锋运移三维模拟

【目的】更加有效地控制土壤含水率,指导节水灌溉。【方法】采用负水头土壤水分湿润锋运移试验和Hydrus-3D三维土壤水分运移数值模型,研究了山西榆次砂土、壤土在负水头高度(0、-0.5、-1.0m)时的土壤水分湿润锋运移规律和模型的有效性。【结果】水分累积入渗量随着时间的增加逐渐增大,与时间呈良好的幂函数关系;湿润锋随着时间的增加逐渐向水平、垂直方向扩大,曲线呈1/4椭囿状,最大湿润距离与时间的平方根呈良好的线性关系;湿润锋入渗速度随着负水头高度的增加逐渐减小,与时间呈良好的幂函数关系。实测湿润锋包络面积与模型计算值的偏差,砂土为0.51%~7.21%,壤土为0.22%~16.03%。【结论】所建三维模型可以用于描述负水头环境下土壤水分湿润锋的运移特征,并用于预测各种条件改变下的湿润锋运移和含水率分布。     

入渗水矿化度对点源滴灌土壤水盐运移特征的影响

通过室内试验,初步研究了入渗水矿化度对点源滴灌土壤水盐运移特征的影响,结果表明,在入渗土层深度相同时,入渗水矿化度越高,土壤剖面含水率和土壤剖面含盐量相对越大;在入渗时间相同时,入渗水矿化度越高,湿润锋水平运移的距离越大;在点源滴灌条件下湿润锋水平运移距离随滴水时间的变化规律符合二次函数关系。     

Soil solution and exchange complex response to repeated wetting–drying with modestly saline–sodic water

Coal bed natural gas (CBNG) extraction in the Powder River (PR) Basin of Wyoming and Montana produces modestly saline-sodic wastewater, which may have electrical conductivity (EC) and sodium adsorption ratios (SAR) exceeding accepted thresholds for irrigation (EC = 3 dS m⁻¹, SAR = 12 (mmol_c l⁻¹)^1/2. As an approach to managing large volumes of CBNG-produced water, treatment processes have been developed to adjust produced water salinity and sodicity to published irrigation guidelines and legislated in-stream standards. The objective of this laboratory study was to assess acute and chronic soil solution EC and SAR responses to various wetting regimes simulating repeated flood irrigation with treated CBNG product water, followed by single rainfall events. Fifty-four soil samples from irrigated fields in southeast Montana were subjected to simulated PR water or CBNG water treated to EC and SAR values accepted as thresholds for designation of saline × sodic water, in a single wetting event, five wetting–drying events, or five wetting–drying events, followed by leaching with distilled water. Resultant saturated paste extract EC (ECe) and SAR of soils having <33% clay did not differ from one another, but resulting ECe and SAR were all less than those for soil having >33% clay. Repeated wetting with PR water having EC of 1.56 dS m⁻¹ and SAR of 4.54 led to SAR <12, but brought ECe near 3 dS m⁻¹. Repeated wetting with water having salinity = 3.12 dS m⁻¹ and SAR = 13.09 led to ECe >3 dS m⁻¹ and SAR near 12. Subsequent inundation and drainage with distilled water, simulating rainfall-quality leaching, reduced ECe and SAR more often in coarse-textured, high salt content soils than in finer-textured, lower salt content soils. Decreases in ECe upon leaching with distilled water were of greater magnitude than corresponding decreases in SAR, reinforcing supposition of sodium-induced dispersion of fine-textured soils as a consequence of rainfall following irrigation with water having salinity and sodicity levels equal to previously published thresholds.     

暗管排水条件下微咸水灌溉对土壤盐分动态及夏玉米生长的影响

进行暗管排水条件下微咸水灌溉田间试验,设置3种暗管埋深,分别为80 cm(D1)、120 cm(D2)以及无暗管排水(D0),3种微咸水浓度,其电导率分别为0.78 dS/m(S1),3.75 dS/m(S2)和6.25 dS/m(S3),共9个处理,每个处理3组重复.试验结果表明:暗管排水措施可以有效排除微咸水灌溉过程中土壤中累积的盐分;在玉米全生育期内,暗管埋深D1条件下,3种浓度微咸水S1,S2和S3灌溉时根系土壤电导率分别下降了39.00%,31.56%和29.43%,暗管埋深D2条件下,根系土壤电导率则分别下降了31.91%,18.08%和7.44%;夏玉米干物质累积量、穗棒累积量和穗棒质量分配率及最终产量均随着微咸水浓度的升高而降低;在相同微咸水浓度下,不同暗管埋设条件下的夏玉米最终产量从大到小依次为D1,D2,D0;3种暗管埋设条件下的作物需水量从大到小依次为D0,D2,D1的规律;暗管埋深80 cm的处理(D1)下夏玉米水分利用效率最高,而未埋设暗管的处理(D0)水分利用效率最低;当暗管埋设条件一定时,夏玉米水分利用效率随微咸水浓度的升高呈逐渐降低的趋势.     

Simulations on direct and cyclic use of saline waters for sustaining cotton–wheat in a semi-arid area of north-west India

A validated agro-hydrological model soil water atmosphere plant (SWAP) was applied to formulate guidelines for irrigation planning in cotton–wheat crop rotation using saline ground water as such and in alternation with canal water for sustainable crop production. Six ground water qualities (4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 dS/m), four irrigation schedules with different irrigation depths (4, 6, 8 and 10  cm) and two soil types (sandy loam and loamy sand) were considered for each simulation. The impact of the each irrigation scenario on crop performance, and salinization/desalinisation processes occurring in the soil profile (0–2 m) was evaluated through Water Management Response Indicators (WMRIs). The criterion adopted for sustainable crop production was a minimum of pre-specified values of ET_rel (≥0.75 and ≥0.65 for wheat and cotton, respectively) at the end of the 5th year of simulation corresponding to minimum deep percolation loss of applied water. The extended simulation study revealed that it was possible to use the saline water upto 14 dS/m alternatively with canal water for cotton–wheat rotation in both sandy loam and loamy sand soils. In all situations pre-sown irrigation must be accomplished with canal water (0.3–0.4 dS/m). Also when the quality of ground water deteriorates beyond 10 dS/m, it was suggested to use groundwater for post-sown irrigations alternately with canal water. Generally, percolation losses increased with the increase in level of salinity of ground water to account for leaching and thus maintain a favourable salt balance in the root zone to achieve pre-specified values of ET_rel.     

Field evaluation of sand-ditch water harvesting technique in Jordan

Water harvesting is viable alternatives for rainfed agricultural production in semiarid lands. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of a relatively new water harvesting technique, called sand ditch, for moisture and soil conservation. Twelve field plots of 10 m × 2 m were constructed in two adjacent fields having silt loam soils but varied in soil depth, 0.75 m and 2 m, and slope of 10% and 12%. A 130 L barrel was installed at the downslope end of the plots to collect water and sediments at the end of each rainstorm along the rainy season. Three types of treatments were used in duplicates (12 plots in total); sand-ditch plots in which a ditch of 2-m long, 1 m wide and 0.8 m deep was constructed in the middle of plots across the slope (2 in each field), two compacted plots and two plots covered with plastic mulch in addition to four control plots, 2 in each field. The total amount of runoff, sediment concentration, total infiltration and sediment loss for the experimental plots were measured or calculated after each storm during the winter season 2004/2005. Experimental results showed that sand-ditch technique significantly reduced runoff and sediment loss and increased infiltration and soil moisture compared to control or compacted plots. The overall average runoff and sediment reductions in the sand-ditch plots were 46% and 61% compared to control plots. Sediment losses from compacted plots were about 2.2 and 6 folds higher than control and sand-ditch plots, respectively making soil compaction unsuitable technique for rainfall harvesting under the current experimental and climatic conditions. Construction of sand ditch also increased the dry matter yield of native grass by an average of 62% and 40% in the two experimental fields compared to control.     

Changes in water retention properties due to the application of sugar foam in red soils

This work describes the influence of the application of sugar foam (an organic residue from sugar beet industry) on water retention properties, over an extended period of time (>25 years), in two red soils in the La Mancha region of Spain. The properties of gravimetric moisture at field capacity, gravimetric moisture in the permanent wilting point and available water retention capacity both in the original soil - without the addition of sugar foam - and in the soil affected by the addition of sugar foam are compared. For this purpose, the profiles are characterised macro morphologically. Chemical, physical-chemical and mineralogical parameters are determined, in addition to determining the water retention curves of each soil with tensiometers and Richards pressure plates.The sugar foam applied to the soil altered its physical and chemical properties. An increase in contents of organic matter (3.5% versus 1.4%), calcium carbonate (40.8% versus 0%) and pH (8.2 versus 6.3) are observed in the superficial horizon of the studied soils, although there is no such significant increase in electrical conductivity (0.33 dS/m versus 0.25 dS/m). With regard to the physical properties, the depth of horizon A increases (32 cm versus 12 cm), the stoniness reduces (5% versus 25%), the structure is well developed, due to the texture becomes finer (silty versus sandy clay loam), and, finally, the bulk density reduces (0.79 g cm⁻³ versus 1.19 g cm⁻³).The gravimetric moisture at field capacity was 49% in the soil altered with sugar foam, versus 12% in the non-altered soil; the gravimetric moisture in the permanent wilting point was 14.5% versus 8% and the available water retention capacity was 34.5% and 4%, respectively. It can be concluded that the increase of calcium carbonate, organic matter and the reduction of bulk density are the most influential factors in this process. The scientific novelty of this work is that the hydro-behaviour of the soil due to the addition of sugar foam improves the characteristic values of moisture and, therefore, the agronomical qualities of the soil.     

地下水浅埋下层状土壤波涌畦灌间歇入渗模型研究

为进一步揭示地下水浅埋下的层状土波涌畦灌间歇入渗机制,通过试验资料分析与理论研究,建立了波涌灌间歇入渗条件下的层状土Brook-Corey和Green-Ampt（BC-GA）改进入渗模型,推导出层状土间歇入渗湿润锋面水吸力与湿润锋运移深度的函数关系,确定了含砂层内部土壤饱和导水率、进气吸力是层状土间歇入渗运移距离变化的主要影响参数。周期数增大,上层土壤饱和导水率减小,饱和含水率减小,进气吸力增大,夹砂层内部仅进气吸力随周期数增加而增大。根据BC-GA模型计算不同埋深的含砂层土壤间歇入渗特性及湿润锋运移特性,对比分析指出,周期数增加,相同含砂层埋深下的累积入渗量减小,湿润锋运移距离增大;含砂层埋深增加,相同供水周期的累积入渗量增大,湿润锋增大;供水周期达到最大时,含砂层埋深对累积入渗量和湿润锋运移距离影响减小。     

Effect of initial soil salinity and subirrigation water salinity on potato tuber yield and size

A field lysimeter study was conducted to investigate the effect of initial soil salinity and salinity level of brackish subirrigation water on tuber weight and tuber size of three potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars (Kennebec, Norland and Russet Burbank) under simulated arid conditions. Both saline and non-saline initial soil conditions were simulated in a total of 36 lysimeters. Eighteen lysimeters were flushed with fresh water (0.2 dS/m), while the remaining 18 lysimeters were flushed with brackish water (2 dS/m). For each soil condition, two subirrigation water concentrations, 1 and 9 dS/m, were used in nine lysimeters each. For each subirrigation water treatment, three potato cultivars were grown. In all lysimeters, water table was maintained at 0.4 m from the soil surface. Arid conditions were simulated by covering the lysimeter top with plastic mulch, allowing the potato shoots to grow through a cut in the mulch. The average root zone salinities (EC_w) were found to be 1.2 and 1.5 dS/m in non-saline lysimeters subirrigated with 1 and 9 dS/m waters, respectively. The corresponding salinities were 3.2 and 3.7 dS/m in the saline lysimeters. Across cultivars, there was no significant effect of either initial soil salinity or subirrigation water salinity on total tuber weight. However, the weight of Grade A tubers was higher in non-saline soil than in saline soil. Kennebec and Russet Burbank Grade A tuber weights were not affected by the initial soil salinity. On the contrary, a significant reduction in Grade A and total tuber weight under initially saline soil was evident for the Norland cultivar.     

A regional soil survey approach for upgrading from flood to sprinkler irrigation in a semi-arid environment

Increasing pressure on water resources in Spain is forcing farmers to move from flood to pressurized water application. Initial recommendations for this upgrading require soil survey information, especially in areas prone to soil salinity. In this article a 3158 ha soil survey at a scale of 1:25,000 is presented. Soil series are split in phases based on the texture of the surface layer, slope, and salinity. Available water holding capacity (AWHC), to a depth of 1.5 m or to a lithic or paralithic contact, texture and coarse components in the surface horizons, and salinity mapped as discrete soil units are combined to develop a regional soil suitability map for irrigation upgrade. To minimize soil erosion and salt mobilization in the soils, our recommendations are: (i) maintain and improve flood irrigation on 296 ha, (ii) develop standard sprinkler irrigation on 2261 ha, and (iii) move to high frequency sprinkler irrigation on 601 ha. This research demonstrates the importance of soil survey as part of the decision making process for upgrading the regional irrigation systems.     

Ameliorating water repellency under turfgrass of contrasting soil organic matter content: Effect of wetting agent formulation and application frequency

Water conservation strategies are being developed in regions of the world expected to experience decreases in water resources due to changing climates. Strategies advocated for improving water-use efficiency may increase the incidence of soil water repellency in sandy-textured soils. We evaluated the effect of soil wetting agent formulation, and application frequency, on water repellency in sandy soil with two contrasting organic matter (OM) contents under kikuyugrass [Pennisetum clandestinum (Holst. Ex Chiov)], and irrigated at 60% replacement of net evaporation in a climate subject to hot, dry summers. The randomized plot design included two turfgrass ages [established from 20 week (7.7% OM) or 20 year old (30% OM) turfgrass in 2005, the latter included a 50 mm ‘mat’ layer], two soil wetting agent formulations (granular or liquid); two application frequencies (one or two applications per irrigation season); and plots of both turfgrass ages that did not receive any wetting agent (nil control). Both wetting agent formulations contained the same active ingredient (propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block polymer), and all wetting agent treatments received the same rate (69 L active ingredient ha⁻¹). Water repellency in the surface soil (0-5 mm), measured using the molarity of ethanol droplet test (MED), ranged from 1.09 M to 4.32 M during the irrigation season, and was more severe in the soil with high OM (average MED, 3.3 M) than low OM content (average MED, 2.7 M). Applying one application of either granular or liquid soil wetting agent at the commencement of the irrigation season decreased the severity of soil water repellency by up to 30% in the high OM soil and by up to 60% in the low OM soil during the summer, and without the need for a second application. The decline in soil water repellency in response to soil wetting agent application was not matched by an increase in soil VWC in summer, and turfgrass quality was considered acceptable throughout the study. The soil wetting agents were less effective at treating water repellent sand containing a significant amount of OM than sand with low OM content.     

Effect of brackish water irrigation and straw mulching on soil salinity and crop yields under monsoonal climatic conditions

Fresh water shortages are severally restricting sustainable agriculture development in the North China Plain. The scarcity of fresh water has forced farmers to use brackish water from shallow underground sources, which helps to overcome drought and increase crop yields but also increases the risk of soil salinization. To identify safe and effective ways of using brackish water in this region, field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of brackish water irrigation and straw mulching on soil salinity and crop yield in a winter wheat-summer maize double cropping system. The experiment was in a split-plot design. Six rates of straw mulching (0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 Mg/ha) were assigned to the main plots and two irrigation water qualities (i.e. brackish water with salt content of 3.0-5.0 g/L and fresh water with only 1.27 g salt/L) were applied to subplots. The brackish water irrigation significantly increased the salt content at different soil depths in the upper 1 m soil layer during the two growing seasons. Straw mulching affected the vertical distribution of salt in the brackish water irrigation plots and the average salt content of straw mulch treatments (4.5, 6.0, 7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 Mg/ha) within the 0-20, 20-40 and 0-100 cm soil depths was 10.2, 14.0 and 1.8% lower than that without straw mulch (A₀). No salt accumulation occurred to a depth of 1 m in the brackish water irrigation plots and there was no correlation between the value of SAS (salt accumulated in 1 m of soil) and straw mulch rate. In 2000 and 2001, the salt content within the 0-40 cm soil layer in brackish water irrigation plots increased due to high evaporation rates during April-June, and then decreased up to September as salts were leached by rain. For the fresh water irrigation plots, the salt content remained relatively stable. Straw mulching affected the salt content in the 0-40 cm soil layer in brackish water irrigation plots in different periods of 2000 and 2001, but no correlation between salt content and straw mulch rates was observed except in September of 2000. Unlike for wheat, the yield of maize increased as the straw mulch rate increased according to the equation, y = 0.1589x + 5.3432 (R² = 0.6506). Our results would be helpful in adopting brackish water irrigation and straw mulching in ways that enhance crop yields and reduce the risk of soil salinization. However, long-term effects of brackish water irrigation and straw mulching on soil salinity and crop yield need to be further evaluated for sustainability of the system.     

Shoot growth and fruit development of muskmelon under saline and non-saline soil water deficit

In irrigated agriculture, the production of biomass and marketable yield depend largely on the quantity and salinity of the irrigation water. The sensitivity of field-grown muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. cv. Galia) to water deficit was compared, using non-saline (EC_i= 1.2 dS m^–1) and saline (EC_i=6.3 dS m^–1) water. Drip irrigation was applied at 2-day intervals at seven different water application rates for each water quality, including a late water-stress treatment. Neutron scattering measurements showed that the soil layers below the root zone remained dry throughout the experiment, indicating negligible deep percolation. Thus, the sum of the seasonal amount of applied water and the change in soil moisture approximated the cumulative evapotranspiration (ET). Gradual buildup of water and salt stresses resulted in small treatment effects on the size of the vegetative cover and large effects on leaf deterioration and fruit production. Crop responses to salinity may result from an osmotic component of the soil water potential or from other salt effects on the crop physiology. Relating plant data to cumulative ET allowed a distinction to be made between the effect on water availability and specific salinity effects. The relation between fruit fresh weight and ET was not sensitive to EC_i. The slopes for fruit dry weights were also insensitive to EC_i but the intercept was larger for saline treatments. At any given ET saline water increased fruit number, increased fruit dry matter content and decreased fruit netting, in comparison with non-saline water. The combination of salinity and soil-water deficit was detrimental to fruit quality. Saline soil-water deficit decreased the percentage of marketable (netted) fruit and caused an early end to the period of marketable fruit production. Non-saline soil-water deficit increased the percentage of marketable fruit and had no effect on the duration of the production period. Late non-saline water stress caused a pronounced increase in the percentage of marketable fruit.