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New Approach of High-Quality Agricultural Development in the Saline-Alkali Land

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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Farming Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 11208

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Zhu Ouyang

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Guest Editor

Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Interests: sustainable management of farmland ecosystem research; improvement of moderate and low yielding cropland

Dr. Zhen Liu

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Guest Editor

Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Interests: soil fertility enhancement; the improvement of saline land

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agricultural development is related to the efficient use and rational distribution of water resources in saline land, related to the protection of the ecological environment, and the efficient development and safety of land resources. Therefore, the high-quality development of saline agriculture is an important part of the sustainable development of saline land, while the development of high-quality agriculture in saline land is an important challenge. Based on the new approach and model needs, the current situation, and major problems of the development of the saline-alkali areas, this Special Issue will focus on the new approaches and models for comprehensive utilization of saline-alkali land, the dynamic process of soil water and salt, plant-soil-microbe interaction, and construction of ecological grass-husbandry ecosystem.

Prof. Dr. Zhu Ouyang
Dr. Zhen Liu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

comprehensive utilization of saline-alkali land
soil carbon and nitrogen processes in saline-alkali soil
the dynamic process of soil water and salt in saline-alkali soil
interaction of plant-soil-microbe in saline-alkali land
construction of ecological grass-husbandry ecosystem

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1332 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Green Manure Mediated Improvement in Saline Soils in China: A Meta-Analysis

by Yinjuan Li, Weiliang Zhao, Haojie Zhu and Xuxia Jia

Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 2068; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092068 - 10 Sep 2024

Viewed by 653

Abstract

The application of green manure is a traditional and valuable practice to improve the fertility of saline soil. However, the impact of environmental factors, green manure types and returning methods on the changes in soil fertility and soil salinity remain poorly quantified at a large scale. In the present study, we conducted a meta-analysis to generate a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of green manure on soil organic carbon (SOC), soil salt content, and soil nutrients compared to bare soil in China. The results showed that compared with bare soil, green manure planting could significantly increase the SOC content of saline soil, reduce salt content, and improve the soil total nitrogen (N), soil available phosphorus (P) and soil available potassium (K) contents. On average, green manure significantly enhanced SOC by 34.82% (percentage change), soil total N by 32.23%, soil available P by 34.34% and soil available K by 17.43%, while reducing soil salt content by 47.75%, compared to bare soil. In areas with a mean annual temperature (MAT) of <10 °C or a mean annual precipitation (MAP) of 200–400 mm, green manure had the largest increase in SOC, soil total N, soil available P, and soil available K. The smallest increases were observed in areas with an MAT above 15 °C and MAP greater than 800 mm. Green manure types influenced the improvement effect of green manure on saline soil. Green manure mixtures were more conducive to increases in SOC, while the increases in soil total N resulting from mixed green manure were lower in comparison to those from both legumes and non-legumes. In addition, the initial salt content, experimental years, and returning method influenced the improvement effect of green manure on saline soil. Therefore, this meta-analysis identified green manure as a promising practice for significantly improved saline soil in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Approach of High-Quality Agricultural Development in the Saline-Alkali Land)

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19 pages, 9669 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Ground-Based Remote-Sensing Inversion Method for Soil Salinity Information Based on Crack Characteristics and Spectral Response

by Xiaozhen Liu, Zhuopeng Zhang, Mingxuan Lu, Yifan Wang and Jianhua Ren

Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1837; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081837 - 20 Aug 2024

Viewed by 577

Abstract

The precise quantification of soil salinity and the spatial distribution are paramount for proficiently managing and remediating salinized soils. This study aims to explore a pioneering methodology for forecasting soil salinity by combining the spectroscopy of soda saline–alkali soil with crack characteristics, thereby facilitating the ground-based remote-sensing inversion of soil salinity. To attain this objective, a surface cracking experiment was meticulously conducted under controlled indoor conditions for 57 soda saline–alkali soil samples from the Songnen Plain of China. The quantitative parameters for crack characterization, encompassing the length and area of desiccation cracks, together with the contrast texture feature were methodically derived. Furthermore, spectral reflectance of the cracked soil surface was measured. A structural equation model (SEM) was then employed for the estimation of soil salt parameters, including electrical conductivity (EC_1:5), Na⁺, pH, HCO₃⁻, CO₃²⁻, and the total salinity. The investigation unveiled notable associations between different salt parameters and crack attributes, alongside spectral reflectance measurements (r = 0.52–0.95), yet both clay content and mineralogy had little effect on the cracking process due to its low activity index. In addition, the presence of desiccation cracks accentuated the overall spectral contrast of salt-affected soil samples. The application of SEMs facilitated the concurrent prediction of multiple soil salt parameters alongside the regression analysis for individual salt parameters. Nonetheless, this study confers the advantage of the swift synchronous observation of multiple salt parameters whilst furnishing lucid interpretation and pragmatic utility. This study helps us to explore the mechanism of soil salinity on the surface cracking of soda saline–alkali soil in the Songnen Plain of China, and it also provides an effective solution for quickly and accurately predicting soil salt content using crack characteristics, which also provides a new perspective for the hyperspectral measurement of saline–alkali soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Approach of High-Quality Agricultural Development in the Saline-Alkali Land)

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24 pages, 7705 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of FeSO₄ and Organic Additives on Soil Properties and Microbiota during Model Soybean Planting in Saline-Alkali Soil

by Ullah Fazl, Jian Wang, Jiamin Yin, Xinbo Jiang, Fangang Meng, Wei Zhang, Liqiang Zhang and Hongyan Zhao

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1553; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071553 - 17 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 926

Abstract

Saline soils are characterized by organic matter and nutrient deficiencies, and their mineral fraction consists almost exclusively of fine sand particles, resulting in an unstable soil formation process. Due to the high amount of soluble salts in the soil, the osmotic pressure of the soil is elevated, restricting water absorption. This ultimately leads to the death of the plant and adversely impacts crop growth and yield. Incorporating Fe²⁺ can improve fertilizer utilization efficiency by reducing the oxidation of NH₄⁺ to nitrogen (N₂). However, reports on the usage of iron addition for the improvement of saline-alkali soils are scanty. This study conducted an outdoor simulation in pots to assess the soils of soybean crops during the podding stage. The effects of Fe²⁺ along with organic fertilizer or bio-C addition were elucidated on the composition and function of saline and alkaline microbial communities. The findings were correlated with soil environmental factors to analyze the dynamic changes in soil microbial communities. The soil pH decreased by 1.22–2.18% and SOM increased by 2.87–11.77% with organic fertilizer (OF) treatment. Compared to the ck treatment (control without iron supplementation), other treatments showed an average increase in abundance of dominant phylum by 8.25–11.23%, and an increase in the diversity and richness of the microbial community by 1.73–10.87%. The harmful bacteria in the Actinobacteriota, Chloroflexi, and Basidiomycota groups reduced by 57.83%, 74.29%, and 67.29%, and the beneficial bacteria in Ascomycota increased by 18.23–20.39%. Fe²⁺ combined with organic fertilizer or bio-C treatment could weaken the competitive relationship between the various bacterial lineages, enhance synergistic ability, favor the function and structure of the microbial community, and thus, improve the soil environment. Overall, the application of Fe²⁺ combined with organic fertilizers improved the saline-alkali soil, while the biochar (C) treatment mainly affected the soil nutrients. Through its detailed analysis, the study provides actionable insights for farmers to manage soil fertility in saline-alkaline soils, thereby overcoming the challenges of poor yields due to salinity stress. This will lead to resilient and sustainable farming systems, contributing to global food security. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Approach of High-Quality Agricultural Development in the Saline-Alkali Land)

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14 pages, 4529 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Green Manure Planting on the Spectroscopic Characteristics of Dissolved Organic Matter in Freshwater-Leached Saline–Alkali Soil at Different Depths

by Yuhao Wang, Chengjie Yin, Jingkuan Wang, Xiaohui Ji and Xinwei Liu

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1546; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071546 - 16 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 717

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of green manure planting on the spectroscopic properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in saline–alkali soil under freshwater leaching conditions at different soil depths. The UV₂₅₄, UV₂₅₃/UV₂₀₃, α₃₀₀, α₃₅₅, SUVA₂₅₄, SUVA₂₆₀, and S_R ultraviolet parameters indicated reductions in the content of large molecular substances, benzene ring substitution degree, colored dissolved organic matter, aromaticity, and hydrophobic components in the soil leachate DOM with an increasing soil depth. Compared with the non-green manure treatment control, green manure planting mitigated the leaching of dissolved organic matter in soil during saline irrigation, with rape green manure demonstrating superior effectiveness. Utilizing three-dimensional fluorescence combined with parallel factor analysis, this study analyzed three fluorescent components of soil leachate DOM: C1 (visible-light fulvic acid), C2 (humic acid), and C3 (tyrosine-like protein). The combined contribution of the two humic substance components (C1 + C2) was approximately 70%, indicating the dominance of humic substances in leachate DOM. The fluorescence parameters of soil leachate DOM included an average of the fluorescence index (FI) values between 1.4 and 1.9, low humification index (HIX) values consistently below 4, and biological index (BIX) values ranging from 0.8 to 1.0, suggesting a mixed source, low humification degree, poor stability, and moderate self-source characteristics. Compared with the non-green manure treatment control, both the green manure treatments exhibited a relatively higher proportion of biogenic sources and humification degree in soil leachate DOM. This suggests that planting green manure can reduce the relative DOM content under freshwater leaching conditions, increase the proportion of biogenic sources in soil leachate DOM, and enhance soil humification. Planting rapeseed green manure can diminish the leaching of DOM from land sources and augment soil humification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Approach of High-Quality Agricultural Development in the Saline-Alkali Land)

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16 pages, 2213 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Influence of Long-Term Mulched Drip Irrigation on Upward Capillary Water Movement Characteristics in the Saline–Sodic Region of Northwest China

by Yu Chen, Jinzhu Zhang, Zhenhua Wang, Haiqiang Li, Rui Chen, Yue Zhao, Tianbao Huang and Pengcheng Luo

Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1300; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061300 - 15 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2767

Abstract

Capillary water, serving as a crucial intermediary between groundwater and crop root layer moisture, is important for both soil retention and crop utilization. To investigate the effect of mulched drip irrigation (MDI) on upward capillary water in cotton fields with different application years (0, 10, 14, 18, 20, and 24 years) in the saline–sodic region of Northwest China, an indoor soil column test (one-dimensional capillary water rise experiment) was conducted. The results showed that the wetting front transport law, capillary water recharge, and wetting front transport rate over time exhibited an increasing trend in the early stages of MDI application (10 and 14 years), peaking at 18 years of application, followed by a decreasing trend. The relationship between the capillary water recharge and rising height was fitted based on the Green–Ampt model, and their slopes reveal that 14 and 18 years of MDI application required the largest amount of water per unit distance, indicating an excellent water-holding capacity beneficial for plant growth. Conversely, 0 years required the smallest amount of water per unit distance. Based on the movement characteristics of upper capillary water, we confirmed that the MDI application years (0–18 years) improves soil infiltration capacity, while the long-term application years (18–24 years) reduces groundwater replenishment to the soil. Furthermore, the HYDRUS-1D model was employed to simulate the capillary water rise process and soil moisture distribution under different MDl application years. The results showed an excellent consistency with the soil column experiments, confirming the accuracy of HYDRUS-1D in simulating the capillary water dynamics in saline–sodic areas. The results would provide suggestions to achieve the sustainable development of long-term drip-irrigated cotton fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Approach of High-Quality Agricultural Development in the Saline-Alkali Land)

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12 pages, 2128 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Spatial Coupling Mechanism of Soil Moisture and Salinity after the Erosive Rainfall in the Loess Hilly Region

by Zengming Ke, Lihui Ma and Nan Shen

Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1138; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061138 - 27 May 2024

Viewed by 875

Abstract

Investigating the spatial distribution characteristics of the interaction between soil salinity and moisture is crucial in revealing moisture–salinity interaction in semi-arid farmland. The sampling of soil was performed on the second (S1), fifth (S2), eighth (S3), eleventh (S4), and fourteenth (S5) days after the erosive rainfall. The multifractal method was used to analyze spatial distribution parameters of soil moisture and salinity under the different stages. The findings showed that the soil moisture content decreased from 22.44% to 12.73%, while the salinity increased from 0.71 to 1.18 g kg^–1 after the rainfall. As the amount of moisture in the soil decreased, the variability in the distribution of moisture initially increased from S1 to S3 and then decreased, while the salinity content also decreased. The spatial distribution of soil moisture and salinity content showed a strong correlation at S3 to S4 (with the relative water content of soil ranging from 0.52 to 0.75), indicating a significant coupling effect in these stages. However, the distribution of soil salinity was not uniform under high moisture content conditions (S1 to S2), as it was leached unevenly by rainfall, and under low moisture content conditions (S5), it precipitated, resulting in a low correlation between the spatial distribution of soil moisture and salinity content. This research has provided insight into the coupling dynamics of soil moisture and salinity content, revealing the mechanisms governing their spatial distribution in dryland agricultural regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Approach of High-Quality Agricultural Development in the Saline-Alkali Land)

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25 pages, 10576 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Different Planting Patterns in Bare Strips on Soil Water and Salt Accumulation under Film-Mulched Drip Irrigation

by Yuan Su, Wenxuan Mai, Zhenyong Zhao, Yan Liu, Yingjie Yan, Linlin Yao and Hongfei Zhou

Agronomy 2024, 14(6), 1103; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14061103 - 22 May 2024

Viewed by 702

Abstract

Salt accumulation in bare strips under film-mulched drip irrigation is a global concern as it adversely affects soil quality and hinders sustainable agricultural development in arid and semi-arid regions. This study aims to investigate the spatial distribution of soil moisture and salt under various planting patterns and assess the lateral salt accumulation effect in bare strips. Seven treatments were implemented based on the local cotton planting pattern, including the local classical planting pattern (LTP), mulch width of 220 cm (WFM-220), spacing of 90 cm (SFM-90), mulch width of 40 cm (WFM-40), spacing of 10 cm (SFM-10), ridge tillage (TFM-RT), and ditching (TFM-D), varying in mulch width, spacing, and tillage method in bare strips. Additionally, the performance of the HYDRUS-2D model was evaluated by comparing simulated and observed values using field data. The results revealed that (I) the WFM-220 cm treatment exhibited the best water content retention under mulched film, with lower salt accumulation in the surface bare strip (0–20 cm soil layer); (II) all treatments with narrow rows showed desalination effects in the 0–40 cm soil layer, with salt content reductions ranging from approximately 13% to 38% compared to the initial values; (III) under the LTP treatment, the lateral salt discharge effect in the bare strip of the 0–40 cm soil layer was the best, regardless of mulch width and spacing, with a salt accumulation rate up to three times higher than the initial value, and even up to four times higher in the 0–10 cm layer; (IV) the TFM-RT treatment exhibited the best salt accumulation ability on the surface bare strip; and (V) the HYDRUS-2D model proved to be an effective tool for studying the dynamic regulation mechanism of water and salt with root mean square error values ranging from 0.079 to 0.106 cm³·cm⁻³ for soil water content and from 0.044 to 0.079 dS·m⁻¹ for electrical conductivity, indicating good agreement between simulations and observations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Approach of High-Quality Agricultural Development in the Saline-Alkali Land)

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17 pages, 30436 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increase in Soil Carbon Pool Stability Rather Than Its Stock in Coastal Saline—Alkali Ditches following Reclamation Time

by Xiangrong Li, Zhen Liu, Jing Li, Huarui Gong, Yitao Zhang, Zhigang Sun and Zhu Ouyang

Agronomy 2023, 13(11), 2843; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13112843 - 19 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1604

Abstract

Extensive drainage ditches are constructed to reduce soil salinity in reclaimed saline–alkali farmland, consequently forming plant growth hotspots and impacting soil carbon stocks therein. However, the investigation into changes in soil carbon stocks remains limited in these ditches. To address this, soil samples were collected from drainage ditches, which originated from the reclamation of saline–alkali farmland, at different reclamation years (the first, seventh, and fifteenth year). Moreover, fractions were separated from soil samples; a particle size separation method (particulate organic matter, POM; mineral–associated organic matter, MAOM) and a spatio–temporal substitution method were conducted to analyze the variations in soil carbon components and the underlying mechanisms. The results indicate that there were no significant variations in the contents and stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil inorganic carbon (SIC) following the increase in reclamation time. However, in the POM fraction, the SOC content (SOC_POM) and stock significantly decreased from 2.24 to 1.12 g kg⁻¹ and from 19.02 to 12.71 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively. Conversely, in the MAOM fraction, the SOC content (SOC_MAOM) and stock significantly increased from 0.65 to 1.70 g kg⁻¹ and from 5.30 to 12.27 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively. The different changes in SOC_POM and SOC_MAOM, as well as the result of the structural equation model, showed a possible transformation process from SOC_POM to SOC_MAOM in the soil carbon pool under the driving force of reclamation time. The results in terms of the changes in soil carbon components demonstrate the stability rather than the stock of the soil carbon pool increase in coastal saline–alkali ditches following the excavation formation time. Although more long time series and direct evidence are needed, our findings further provide a case study for new knowledge about changes in the soil carbon pool within saline–alkali ditches and reveal the potential processes involved in the transformation of soil carbon components. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Approach of High-Quality Agricultural Development in the Saline-Alkali Land)

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10 pages, 996 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influences of Exogenic Organic Materials Application on Soil Fertility Status and Paddy Growth under a Coastal Saline Soil Condition

by Wengang Zuo, Yuxi Zhou, Yutian Yao, Chao Chen, Fan Wang, Hao Peng, Tianyang Qin, Yunlong Li, Shuotong Chen, Rongjiang Yao, Yuhua Shan and Yanchao Bai

Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2280; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092280 - 29 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1257

Abstract

Paddy cultivation in saline soil can rapidly reduce soil salinity, which is an important approach for managing, utilizing, and improving such soils. However, the high salinity of saline soil severely limits the sustainability of paddy production. Adding exogenic organic material to improve soil fertility in saline soil is a key measure for obtaining high-yield, efficient and sustainable cultivation of paddy. This study used a field experiment to explore the influences of different organic materials application on soil desalination and fertility improvement in saline paddy soil. The results showed that the application of dairy manure (DM), sludge vermicompost (SV), and vinegar residue (VR) reduced soil barrier factors, including electrical conductivity (EC) and pH, increased soil fertility, including soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), and promoted paddy growth in saline soil. Specifically, soil EC decreased by 29.0%, 32.9% and 49.4% and paddy biomass increased by 27.7%, 63.7% and 107.6% in DM, SV, and VR-treated soils with the highest application rates, respectively, compared to the control. At an equal carbon application rate, VR was more conducive to decreasing soil EC and pH and increasing paddy biomass. Compared to DM and SV, VR addition resulted in an average decrease of 20.7% and 19.1% in soil EC, respectively, and an average increase of 57.3% and 29.5% in paddy biomass. In addition, soil water-stable aggregates (WSA), SOC, N, and P contents in VR-treated soil were lower than those in DM and SV-treated soils. Correlation and path analysis revealed that there was a significant negative correlation between paddy biomass and soil barrier factors. However, EC in VR-treated soil had a direct negative effect on paddy biomass, while EC in DM and SV-treated soils had an indirect negative effect on paddy biomass. Additionally, the direct contribution of soil pH to paddy biomass was higher with VR (−1.49) than that with DM (−0.21) and SV (0.89). In contrast to DM and SV, the effect of soil WSA on paddy biomass in VR-treated soil was mainly an indirect positive effect, and the direct effect was negative. The corresponding results provided new options and ideas for the efficient utilization of saline soils and high-yield cultivation of paddy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Approach of High-Quality Agricultural Development in the Saline-Alkali Land)

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