Evaluating the impacts of long-term saline water irrigation on soil salinity and cotton yield under plastic film mulching: A 15-year field study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108703
• Publication Date: 2024-01-28T21:56:39Z
• Authors: Junpeng Zhang; He Wang; Di Feng; Caiyun Cao; Chunlian Zheng; Hongkai Dang; Kejiang Li; Yang Gao; Chitao Sun
• Keywords: Sodium adsorption ratio; Saline water

In the context of dwindling freshwater resources, it is imperative to comprehensively evaluate crop productivity and soil resource sustainability when considering use saline water for irrigation (SWI). This study aimed investigate effects SWI on salinity variation flat sowing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) through a comprehensive 15-year field experiment conducted in North China Plain, encompassing six levels (ECiw 1.3, 3.4, 7.1, 10.6, 14.1, 17.7 dS m−1, respectively). The results revealed an increase within root zone, with increases 5%, 20%, 39%, 67%, 116%, 156%, respectively, observed across treatments. treatments higher ECiw values (14.1 m−1), salt accumulation extended depth 3.0 m. Long-term has risk causing sodicity alkalinity. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) pH ≥ 7.1 m−1 increased significantly (P < 0.05) after harvest 15th year continuous SWI. Cotton yield performance exhibited distinct response varying ECiw. treatment 3.4 yielded highest average 3419 kg ha−1, while yields 14.1 were more than 13% lower maximum 0.05). index was at its lowest (0.68) between 0.72 0.75 other Additionally, long-term resulted changes quality, including decrease micronaire value elongation index. A quadratic correlation analysis identified threshold 6.8 optimum yield. summary, recommended that should not exceed ensure safety production this research region.