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In arid areas, biodegradable film has recently had the potential to replace polyethylene (PE) film to address plastic pollution. However, the positive effect of biodegradable film on soil moisture and salt control is weaker than that of PE film. Magnetized irrigation water technology is expected to compensate for this limitation. This study comprised a field experiment in 20212023 to study how two types of biodegradable film (M1, black; M2, transparent) and six magnetization intensity on irrigation water (T0, 0 Gs; T1, 1000 Gs; T2, 2000 Gs; T3, 3000 Gs; T4, 4000 Gs; T5, 5000 Gs) affect the degradation rate of biodegradable film, soil watersalt distribution, growth, and quality of processing tomatoes. The traditional PE film mulching and non-magnetized irrigation were used as the control group (MPET0). The results demonstrated that magnetized water irrigation slowed down the degradation rate of biodegradable film. In addition, the magnetized irrigation water can redistributed the soil water-salt patterns under the biodegradable film, improving the soil water content and salt leaching efficiency, with better results in M1 than in M2. Moreover, magnetized water irrigation promoted the growth of tomato leaf area under the biodegradable film, enhancing photochemical efficiency and potential activity of PSII, thereby improving fruit yield, quality, and water use efficiency of tomato. Principal component analysis showed that the comprehensive score of M1T3 treatment was the highest throughout the three years. Furthermore, M1T3 treatment has the highest processing tomato economic benefits during 2021–2023 (24634986 CNY hm2 more than MPET0). Therefore, the use of 3000 Gs magnetized irrigation water combined with black biodegradable film is conducive to improving soil water and salt conditions, reducing residual film pollution, and improving the yield and quality of processing tomatoes, thus ensuring the sustainable development of oasis agriculture.

Localized soil compaction in greenhouses resulting from less frequent tillage operations and frequent trampling by farmers inevitably disturbs the continuity and homogeneity of soil's hydraulic properties, which impacts the precision of greenhouse cultivation regarding water supply and salinity control. However, predicting water–salt dynamics under partly compacted topsoil is difficult because of the interactions between many factors related to soil properties, including irrigation method and water quality, which are especially subjected to varied compaction sizes and positions. Here, two field treatments were conducted in brackish water (3 g L−1) drip-irrigated plots, with the designed soil compaction region (40 cm width and 30 cm depth) adjacent to (T1) and below (T2) the drip lines. The calibrated and validated HYDRUS-2D model was applied to analyze salt exchanges across the vertical and horizontal interfaces between the compacted and non-compacted zones and the associated solute concentration variations within these two zones. The results indicated that the limited horizontal solute flux under T1 enhanced the subsequent downward flux below the drip lines, whereas, under T2, the restricted downward flux with relatively limited improved horizontal salt spreading resulted in more salt retention in the soil profile. Additional scenario simulations considering the vertical and horizontal extension of soil compaction sizes (ranging from 10 × 10 cm to 40 × 40 cm) were also conducted and revealed that, with the same increment in compaction size, the vertical extension of the compacted zone aggravated salt accumulation compared with that of horizontal extension, while the simulated cumulative water and salt downward fluxes were positive in relation to the compaction sizes in both vertical and horizontal directions under T1, but negative under T2. The findings of this study explore the effect of relative positions between drip lines and the soil compaction zone on salt transports under brackish water irrigation and reveal the potential soil salinization trend as extending compaction regions in the vertical or horizontal direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Spring irrigation with freshwater is widely used to reduce soil salinity and increase the soil water content in arid areas. However, this approach requires a huge amount of freshwater, which is problematic given limited freshwater resources. Utilizing brackish water for spring irrigation in combination with magnetized water technology may be a promising alternative strategy. Results The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of four spring irrigation methods (freshwater spring irrigation (FS), magnetized freshwater spring irrigation (MFS), brackish water spring irrigation (BS), and magnetized brackish water spring irrigation (MBS)) on soil water and salt distribution, emergence, growth, and photosynthetic characteristics of cotton seedlings. The results showed that for both freshwater and brackish water, magnetized water irrigation can increase the soil water content for improved desalination effect of irrigation water. Additionally, spring irrigation with magnetized water promoted cotton emergence and seedling growth. Compared with FS treatment, cotton finial emergence rate, emergence index, vigor index, plant height, stem diameter, and leaf area index of MFS treatment increased by 6.25, 7.19, 12.98, 15.60, 8.91, and 20.57%, respectively. Compared with BS treatment, cotton finial emergence rate, emergence index, vigor index, plant height, stem diameter, and leaf area index of MBS treatment increased by 27.78, 39.83, 74.79, 26.40, 14.01, and 57.22%, respectively. Interestingly, we found that spring irrigation with magnetized water can increase the chlorophyll content and net photosynthetic rate of cotton seedlings. The rectangular hyperbolic model (RHM), non-rectangular hyperbolic model (NRHM), exponential model (EM), and modified rectangular hyperbolic model (MRHM) were used to fit and compare the cotton light response curve, and MRHM was determined to be the optimal model to fit the data. This model was used to calculate the photosynthetic parameters of cotton. Compared with FS treatment, the net photosynthetic rate (P nmax ), dark respiration rate (R d ), light compensation point (I c ), light saturation point (I sat ), and the range of available light intensity (ΔI) of MFS were increased by 5.18, 3.41, 3.18, 2.29 and 2.19%, respectively. Compared with BS treatment, the P nmax , R d , I c , I sat and ΔI of MBS were increased by 26.44, 29.48, 30.05, 5.13, and 2.27%, respectively. Conclusion The results show that spring irrigation with magnetized brackish water may be a feasible method to reduce soil salt and increase soil water content when freshwater resources are insufficient.

Localized soil compaction in greenhouses resulting from less frequent tillage operations and frequent trampling by farmers inevitably disturbs the continuity and homogeneity of soil’s hydraulic properties, which impacts the precision of greenhouse cultivation regarding water supply and salinity control. However, predicting water–salt dynamics under partly compacted topsoil is difficult because of the interactions between many factors related to soil properties, including irrigation method and water quality, which are especially subjected to varied compaction sizes and positions. Here, two field treatments were conducted in brackish water (3 g L−1) drip-irrigated plots, with the designed soil compaction region (40 cm width and 30 cm depth) adjacent to (T1) and below (T2) the drip lines. The calibrated and validated HYDRUS-2D model was applied to analyze salt exchanges across the vertical and horizontal interfaces between the compacted and non-compacted zones and the associated solute concentration variations within these two zones. The results indicated that the limited horizontal solute flux under T1 enhanced the subsequent downward flux below the drip lines, whereas, under T2, the restricted downward flux with relatively limited improved horizontal salt spreading resulted in more salt retention in the soil profile. Additional scenario simulations considering the vertical and horizontal extension of soil compaction sizes (ranging from 10 × 10 cm to 40 × 40 cm) were also conducted and revealed that, with the same increment in compaction size, the vertical extension of the compacted zone aggravated salt accumulation compared with that of horizontal extension, while the simulated cumulative water and salt downward fluxes were positive in relation to the compaction sizes in both vertical and horizontal directions under T1, but negative under T2. The findings of this study explore the effect of relative positions between drip lines and the soil compaction zone on salt transports under brackish water irrigation and reveal the potential soil salinization trend as extending compaction regions in the vertical or horizontal direction.

In arid areas, biodegradable film has recently had the potential to replace polyethylene (PE) film to address plastic pollution. However, the positive effect of biodegradable film on soil moisture and salt control is weaker than that of PE film. Magnetized irrigation water technology is expected to compensate for this limitation. This study comprised a field experiment in 2021 2023 to study how two types of biodegradable film (M1, black; M2, transparent) and six magnetization intensity on irrigation water (T0, 0 Gs; T1, 1000 Gs; T2, 2000 Gs; T3, 3000 Gs; T4, 4000 Gs; T5, 5000 Gs) affect the degradation rate of biodegradable film, soil water salt distribution, growth, and quality of processing tomatoes. The traditional PE film mulching and non-magnetized irrigation were used as the control group (M PE T0). The results demonstrated that magnetized water irrigation slowed down the degradation rate of biodegradable film. In addition, the magnetized irrigation water can redistributed the soil water-salt patterns under the biodegradable film, improving the soil water content and salt leaching efficiency, with better results in M1 than in M2. Moreover, magnetized water irrigation promoted the growth of tomato leaf area under the biodegradable film, enhancing photochemical efficiency and potential activity of PSII, thereby improving fruit yield, quality, and water use efficiency of tomato. Principal component analysis showed that the comprehensive score of M1T3 treatment was the highest throughout the three years. Furthermore, M1T3 treatment has the highest processing tomato economic benefits during 2021–2023 (2463 4986 CNY hm 2 more than M PE T0). Therefore, the use of 3000 Gs magnetized irrigation water combined with black biodegradable film is conducive to improving soil water and salt conditions, reducing residual film pollution, and improving the yield and quality of processing tomatoes, thus ensuring the sustainable development of oasis agriculture. [Display omitted] • Magnetized irrigation water has a positive effect on improving soil water and salt. • Magnetized irrigation water promotes physiological growth in processing tomatoes. • Magnetized irrigation water compensated for the yield loss of the biodegradable film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The freshwater deficit is the major constraint to winter wheat production. Saline water irrigation could alleviate wheat water stress while increasing the risk of soil salinization, which would result in wheat yield reduction due to additional salt stress. The objective of the present study is to explore the effect of a straw-returning mode to promote winter wheat production under saline water irrigation. A field experiment was conducted during the winter wheat growing seasons of 2017–2018 and 2018–2019. Four returning modes were set, based on an equivalent carbon input: straw mulching (SM), biochar amendment (BA), straw mulching combined with biochar amendment (SM+BA), and the control without straw-returning (CK), along with three salinity levels of irrigation water: 0.47 dS m−1 (I0, freshwater), 3.25 dS m−1 (I1), and 6.75 dS m−1 (I2). Saline water irrigation alone triggered soil salt accumulation and reduced the wheat grain yield by 9.43––18.19%. Returning straw to fields increased soil organic carbon content by 16.41––52.21% and decreased soil bulk density by 0.69––1.46%. The highest increase in wheat grain yield (16.60––21.80%) was always obtained when using treatment SM+BA, due to the increased soil moisture content (3.15––12.31%) and lower salt levels (24.79––44.29%) compared to CK. The results of the present study established that SM+BA provided better soil water–salt conditions and nutrient environment for winter wheat growth than a single treatment. Thus, the combined application of SM and BA was shown to be a proper mitigating strategy to cope with the adverse effects of saline irrigation on winter wheat production and to promote the sustainable use of saline water irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

【Objective】 Along with drought, soil salinity is a main abiotic factor limiting crop growth worldwide. Improving cultivation to alleviate salinity stress is an alternative method to safeguard agricultural production in saline soils. The aim of this paper is to investigate the efficacy of using ridge-furrow cultivation coupled with mulching to ameliorate the impact of salinity and improve cotton yield in coastal saline-alkali soils in China. 【Method】 A two-year experiment was conducted from 2014 to 2015 in a field, with conventional tillage coupled with mulching taken as the control (CK). In each treatment, we measured spatial distributions of soil water and salt, as well as seedling rate, seedling growth, root surface area, cotton yield, and yield traits. 【Result】 Mulching coupled with ridge-furrow cultivation (RF) increased soil moisture and reduced soil salinity simultaneously at significant level, thereby promoting root surface area and cotton yield, in comparison with CK. During the growth season, water content and electrical conductivity in the soil beneath the mulch in CK was 2.67% higher and 27.78% lower, respectively, than that in the soil outside the mulch. In contrast, the water content and electrical conductivity beneath the mulch in RF was 15.92% higher and 34.57% lower, respectively, than that in the soil outside the mulch. Compared with CK in the two years, RF increased root surface areas by 35.9%, seedling rate by 8.3% and 56.6%, the number of bolls per plant by 33.9% and 63.4%, cotton seed yield by 37.0% and 196.4%, respectively. 【Conclusion】 Ridge-furrow cultivation coupled with mulching increased soil water and reduced salt content in the root zones because it re-directed water flow in the soil. This boosted the growth of cotton seedlings and roots, increasing its yield as a result.

The freshwater deficit is the major constraint to winter wheat production. Saline water irrigation could alleviate wheat water stress while increasing the risk of soil salinization, which would result in wheat yield reduction due to additional salt stress. The objective of the present study is to explore the effect of a straw-returning mode to promote winter wheat production under saline water irrigation. A field experiment was conducted during the winter wheat growing seasons of 2017–2018 and 2018–2019. Four returning modes were set, based on an equivalent carbon input: straw mulching (SM), biochar amendment (BA), straw mulching combined with biochar amendment (SM+BA), and the control without straw-returning (CK), along with three salinity levels of irrigation water: 0.47 dS m−1 (I0, freshwater), 3.25 dS m−1 (I1), and 6.75 dS m−1 (I2). Saline water irrigation alone triggered soil salt accumulation and reduced the wheat grain yield by 9.43––18.19%. Returning straw to fields increased soil organic carbon content by 16.41––52.21% and decreased soil bulk density by 0.69––1.46%. The highest increase in wheat grain yield (16.60––21.80%) was always obtained when using treatment SM+BA, due to the increased soil moisture content (3.15––12.31%) and lower salt levels (24.79––44.29%) compared to CK. The results of the present study established that SM+BA provided better soil water–salt conditions and nutrient environment for winter wheat growth than a single treatment. Thus, the combined application of SM and BA was shown to be a proper mitigating strategy to cope with the adverse effects of saline irrigation on winter wheat production and to promote the sustainable use of saline water irrigation.

Highlights • Deficit irrigation with saline water is proposed in arid Northwest China. • Water use efficiency of maize for seed production was calculated by water balance equation. • Soil salt accumulation increased with increase of irrigation water salinity and decrease of irrigation water amount. • Deficit irrigation with saline water can be used for agricultural production. Abstract In order to explore the utilization of groundwater resource, field experiments were conducted in 2012 and 2013 in the Shiyang River Basin of Northwest China. Altogether nine treatments included three water levels w1, w2 and w3 (1ET c , 2/3ET c, and 1/2ET c, ET c = 555 mm) in combination with three salinity levels s1, s2 and s3 (0.71 g/L, 3 g/L and 6 g/L).Soil water content, soil salt content and yield of maize for seed production were measured for studying the effects of deficit irrigation with saline water on water-salt distribution and water use efficiency of maize for seed production. The results showed that soil water content of saline water irrigation was higher than fresh water irrigation and soil salt content increased with increase of irrigation water salinity under the same irrigation water amount. Soil water content of deficit irrigation was lower than sufficient irrigation and soil salt content increased with decrease of irrigation water amount under the same irrigation water salinity. The soil salt accumulation increased gradually with increase of irrigation water salinity and decrease of irrigation water amount under the combined effect of irrigation water amount and irrigation water salinity. Irrigation with water salinity of 3 g/L and water amount of 370 mm will not cause a substantial yield reduction and could increase water use efficiency of maize for seed production. Irrigation schedule with irrigation water amount about 370 mm and irrigation water salinity below 3 g/L is recommended in this study area. The irrigation schedule of this study can be used in the practice of agricultural production and the results show a reasonably utilization of saline water, thereby supplying theoretical guidance for water-saving irrigation development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the effects of thinning on the growth of Calligonum arborescens and the soil water-salt distribution in Tarim Desert Highway shelterbelt, a thinning experiment was conducted on an aged and declined C. arborescens woodland in a demonstration section of the shelter-belt, with the growth of C. arborescens and the soil water-salt distribution monitored. Thinning had no effects on the phenophase of C. arborescens, but after thinning, the growth of the current year plant height, crown width, ground diameter, and new branch length of reserved trees was larger than that of the control, and the increment was in the order of planting space 2 m×1 m > 1 m×1 m > the control, with significant differences among the treatments. The assimilation branch surface area in treatments 2 m×1 m and 1 m×1 m were 5. 97 m2 and 5. 22 m2 per plant, respectively, being significantly larger than the control (3. 1 m2 per plant). The soil moisture content in 0-160 cm layer was significantly higher in treatments 2 m×1 m and 1 m×1 m than in the control, and increased obviously with thinning intensity. The soil salt content was in the order of control > planting space 1 m×1 m > 2 m×1 m, and the differences among the treatments were significant. It was suggested that the best reserved plant density after thinning was planting space 2 m×1 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of sufficient and non-sufficient irrigation with saline water on the soil water-salt distribution and spring corn yield in the middle reach of Shiyanghe River Basin. The results showed that under both sufficient and non-sufficient irrigation, the peak value of soil water content all appeared during irrigation period, and the variation range of the water content was higher under sufficient than under non-sufficient irrigation. Soil salinity was positively correlated with the salinity of irrigation water. At the same salinity of irrigation water, the soil salinity under non-sufficient irrigation was lower than that under sufficient irrigation. Under non-sufficient irrigation, the soil layer with salt accumulation was moved up, but the water and salt contents in 80-100 cm soil layer were less affected by the amount and salinity of irrigation water. Comparing with that under fresh water irrigation, the spring corn yield under saline water irrigation was decreased by 15%-22%. Under non-sufficient irrigation with 9 g·L-1, 6 g·L-1, and 3 g·L-1 of saline water, the average salt content in 1 m soil layer after harvest was decreased by 8.1%, 12.4%, and 18.4%, and the corn yield was only decreased by 3.4%, 6.8%, and 3.0%, respectively, compared with those under sufficient irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]