Field-Scale Spatial Variation of Saline-Sodic Soil and Its Relation with Environmental Factors in Western Songnen Plain of China

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate the degree of spatial variability and variance structure of salinization parameters using classical and geostatistical method in Songnen Plain of China, which is one of largest saline-sodic areas in the World, and to analyze the relationship between salinization parameters, including soil salinity content (SC), electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and pH, and seven environmental factors by Pearson and stepwise regression analysis. The environmental factors were ground elevation, surface ponding time, surface ponding depth, and soil moistures at four layers (0–10 cm, 10–30 cm, 30–60 cm, and 60–100 cm). The results indicated that SC, EC, and SAR showed great variations, whereas pH exhibited low variations. Four salinization parameters showed strongly spatial autocorrelation resulting from the compound impact of structural factors. The empirical semivariograms in the four parameters could be simulated by spherical and exponential models. The spatial distributions of SC, EC, SAR and pH showed similar patterns, with the coexistence of high salinity and sodicity in the areas with high ground elevation. By Pearson analysis, the soil salinization parameters showed a significant positive relationship with ground elevation, but a negative correlation with surface ponding time, surface ponding depth, and soil moistures. Both correlation and stepwise regression analysis showed that ground elevation is the most important environmental factor for spatial variation of soil sanilization. The results from this research can provide some useful information for explaining mechanism of salinization process and utilization of saline-sodic soils in the Western Songnen Plain.

Analysis of the Chemical Properties of Vertisols in Kerau, Guyuk Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria

“…Soil pH did not however, show any significant directional variation (anisotropic behavior) in vertisols of the study area at the scale measured. This result agrees with the findings of Yang et al [12] who showed that soil heterogeneity and spatial dependence of pH at microscale exist and vary with sampling site and scale, while Khan et al [13] and Ayoubi [14] pH reported low variations in pH in a field under uniform management in the temperate region. Fig.…”

“…Moreover, these studies do not consider variability on smaller farms that fall within field scale of a hectare or less, typically found in Nigeria. The fact remains that the shorter the sampling range the less the variation [12][13]14][2] [15]. But the effect of this less variation could still be significant on crops of a given site given the prevailing conditions; thus the need to measure the small variations in soil properties distributions.…”

“…Moreover, these studies do not consider variability on smaller farms that fall within field scale of a hectare or less, typically found in Nigeria. The fact remains that the shorter the sampling range the less the variation [12] …”

Variations on Soil Salinity and Sodicity and Its Driving Factors Analysis under Microtopography in Different Hydrological Conditions

“…Depressions were covered by Phragmitesaustralis due to seasonal waterlogging. Roots are intricately crossed and extended to 60 cm in the soil profile [33]. The advanced root system of Phragmitesaustralis can create more active soil pores, which in turn will increase the infiltration capacity [34].…”

Geoinformatics for Quantifying Salt Affected Soils in Gohana, Haryana Using Soil Techniques

“…Corwin and Lesch (2005) also reported moderate to high variability in SAR in saline-sodic soil. However, Yang et al, (2011) …”