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- Title
Saline–Alkaline Characteristics during Desalination Process and Nitrogen Input Regulation in Reclaimed Tidal Flat Soils.
- Authors
Sun, Yunpeng; Zhang, Xin; Xian, Jingtian; Yang, Jingsong; Chen, Xiaobing; Yao, Rongjiang; Luo, Yongming; Wang, Xiangping; Xie, Wenping; Cao, Dan
- Abstract
Highlights: What are the main findings? The pH increased during the soil desalination process in the coastal salt-affected lands; The nitrogen was enough for crop growth in the short term in natural desalination soils. What is the implication of the main finding? It was beneficial for reducing nitrogen fertilizer usage in coastal saline agriculture cultivation and useful for salinity and alkalinity judgement. Coastal salt-affected soils account for a large area all around the world. Soil salinity and pH are two important parameters affecting soil quality. Investigating the correlation of electrical conductivity (EC) and pH at different soil depths in saline soil was useful for quickly assessing the saline–alkaline characteristics. During the natural desalination process in the field area of reclaimed lands, the phenomena of pH increase and nitrogen accumulation may occur. A field sampling experiment was conducted in slightly saline soil affected by natural desalination and newly reclaimed heavily saline soil. A series of soil–water ratio extracts consisting of 1:2.5, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, and 1:40 was designed to measure the EC and pH for simulating the saline–alkaline characteristics during the soil desalination process. Meanwhile, for reasonable utilization of the naturally ameliorated slightly saline soil which consists of a high content of nitrogen, a plastic mulching (PM) accompanied with nitrogen (N) fertilizer addition experiment in maize cultivation plots was designed. Results showed that a significant correlation of EC and/or pH existed in all ratios of soil extracts, and the slightly saline soil had a higher nitrogen content (1.06 g kg−1). The EC was negatively correlated with pH at a depth of 0~100 cm in the coastal saline soil, which indicated the increase of pH value and alkalization during its natural desalination. Furthermore, PM treatments showed no significant difference with N treatments in soil bulk density and soil water content in the slightly saline soil. The PM and N treatments obtained similar grain yield, which was between 6.2 and 6.5 t ha−1. The soil salinity decreased in all treatments and the harvest index was largest in PM treated plots. Our study was beneficial for rapidly monitoring saline–alkaline characteristics and sustainable utilization of coastal saline soil resources. In addition, we should focus far more on pH improvement during the desalination process and rational utilization of chemical fertilizer for obtaining sustainable benefits in the coastal saline soil.
- Subjects
SOIL salinity; TIDAL flats; SOIL moisture; SOIL density; PLASTIC mulching; NITROGEN fertilizers
- Publication
Sustainability (2071-1050), 2023, Vol 15, Issue 5, p4378
- ISSN
2071-1050
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/su15054378