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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2014, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (6): 69-77.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb20140609

• Orginal Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of different irrigation methods and quantities on soil salt transfer in oasis alfalfa fields

ZHANG Qian-bing1,2,Anwar Ahmat1,YU Lei1,2,LU Wei-hua1,2,CHANG Qing1   

  1. 1.The College of Animal Science & Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China;
    2.The Key Laboratory of Oasis Eco-agriculture of Xinjiang Production and Construction Group, Shihezi 832003, China
  • Received:2013-11-04 Online:2014-12-20 Published:2014-12-20

Abstract: Salination is a major problem in oasis agricultural systems. This study explored the effects of different irrigation methods and quantities on soil salt spatial distribution and transfer in oasis alfalfa crops. A two-factor experiment including two irrigation methods and three irrigation gradients was conducted. Soil electrical conductivity was measured and analyzed during alfalfa growth in the second year of the experiment. With the advancement of crop growth and an increase in irrigation frequency, soil salt content fluctuated significantly but tended to decrease as the growing season progressed. Reduced soil salt levels occurred at 0-40 cm depth under drip irrigation and at 0-30 cm depth under flood irrigation; salt was deposited at 50-60 cm depth under drip irrigation and at 40-60 cm depth under flood irrigation. Increased irrigation resulted in peak soil salinity trending downwards under both irrigation methods. Soil salt content increased with increasing soil depth after irrigation with most salt concentrated at 40-60 cm depth, but the “salt drive” effect was greater under drip irrigation than flood irrigation. The benefits of “salt drive” for crop yield were maximized at irrigation rates of 3000 m3/ha and 5250 m3/ha under drip and flood irrigation, respectively.

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