Effect of Periodic Winter Irrigation on Salt Distribution Characteristics and Cotton Yield in Drip Irrigation under Plastic Film in Xinjiang

Abstract

Winter irrigation is an effective means of salt leaching, but the long-term effect on salinity is unclear. In 2008–2019, three different soil types of farmlands were selected as the study area by drip irrigation under film mulch combined with periodic winter irrigation in the non-growth period. The salinity of 0–150 cm as well as the survival rate and yield of cotton in the non-growth and growth periods were monitored, respectively. The mass fraction of soil salt decreased rapidly under winter irrigation, and then, the salt content in each observation layer increased with years of cultivation. After 10 years of application, the soil salt content basically stabilized at a low level. In 2008, the salinity of the 0–150 cm observation layer of loamy clay, loam, and sandy loam varied within 6–60, 10–65, and 4–22 g·kg−1; after four winter irrigations in 2019, corresponding values dropped below 5.74, 3, and 4.76 g·kg−1, respectively. The salinity returns rate of the different observation layers all exceeded 40%. The desalination rate of the different soils after four winter irrigations all exceeded 63.52%. Cotton survival rate and yield in different soils were directly proportional to each other. After the second winter irrigation, the survival rates on the different soils all exceeded 60%. The results of this study can provide technical support for the sustainable development of different types of soil, farmers’ income increase, and salinization land improvement.

Soil Moisture Regulation under Mulched Drip Irrigation Influences the Soil Salt Distribution and Growth of Cotton in Southern Xinjiang, China

“…According to the study of Liu et al [ 37 ], the difference in soil salinity spatial distribution under mulched drip irrigation only occurred in the crop growth period; the soil salinity was redistributed to a uniform state after stubble tillage. Therefore, proper flood irrigation is necessary for soil salt desalination during the crop’s non-growth period [ 5 , 37 , 38 ].…”

Driving Factor Identification for the Spatial Distribution of Soil Salinity in the Irrigation Area of the Syr Darya River, Kazakhstan

“…Statistical results showed large fluctuations in the main salt ions, which indicates that soil salt ions accumulated in the surface layer, under the influence of natural conditions and anthropogenic activities [43]. In addition, the ions SO 4 2− and Ca 2+ have low stressing effects on plants, and the ions Na + and Cl − have a more serious effects on plant growth [44,45].…”

“…Elevation data were obtained from a dataset provided by the University of Bristol, UK, and the slope and aspect were calculated based on elevation data. Improper irrigation is one of the causes of secondary soil salinization [48,49], and studies have shown that salts accumulate easily in districts where irrigation canals are dense [45]. In addition, there is a close connection between the distance to the drainage canal and soil salinity; irrigation systems and drainage systems have an impact on salinization through agricultural water abstraction and drainage activities [50,51].…”

Soil salt distribution and cotton growth under mulched drip irrigation with soil moisture regulation in southern Xinjiang,China

“…Therefore, proper flood irrigation was necessary for soil salt desalination during crop non-growth period (Liu et al 2013;Feng et al 2021;Zhang et al 2020).…”