scholarly journals The impact of irrigation on yield of alfalfa and soil chemical properties of saline-sodic soils

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongtao Yang ◽  
Fenghua An ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Zhichun Wang

Background Forage production in the saline-sodic soil of the western Songnen Plain Northeast China depends on irrigation. Therefore, the water use efficiency (WUE) and soil chemical properties are key factors in the overall forage productivity in this water scarce region. Improving forage yield, WUE, and soil properties under irrigation are very important for food and ecological security in this water-deficient region. Additionally, a suitable irrigation schedule for this region is necessary. Methods A field experiment was conducted between 2015 and 2018 to evaluate the effects of irrigation on artificial grassland productivity and the changes in soil chemical properties as well as to plan a reliable irrigation schedule for the western Songnen Plain. Eight irrigation treatments were designed, which depended on the three growth stages of alfalfa. The shoot height (SH), the chlorophyll content (SPAD), the dry yield (DM), the ratio of stem to leaves (SLR), the WUE, the changes in the chemical properties of the soil, and precipitation and evaporation were investigated. Results The SH, DM, WUE, and SLR were significantly increased by irrigation (P < 0.01). However, the SPAD resulting from irrigation was not significantly higher than the SPAD of CK (no irrigation) (P < 0.05). In addition, the soil chemical properties at the depth of 0–100 cm were significantly decreased by irrigation P (0.05). For example, the soil electrical conductivity, sodium absorption ratio, and total alkalization were reduced 182–345 μS cm−1, 8.95–9.00 (mmolc/L)1/2, and 3.29–4.65 mmolc L−1 by different irrigation treatments, respectively. Finally, considering the highest WUE of I5 (irrigation at branch stage) (2.50 kg m−3), relative high DM of I5 (787.00 g m−2), the precipitation, the evaporation, the water resources, and the changes of the soil’s chemical properties, 236.50 mm of irrigation water was recommended at the branching stage of alfalfa for the western Songnen Plain, Northeast China.

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 644-651
Author(s):  
A.O. Adekiya ◽  
C.M. Aboyeji ◽  
T.M. Agbede ◽  
O. Dunsin ◽  
O.T.V. Adebiyi

Abstract Micro-nutrients especially zinc can not only increase the yield of sweet potato but can also improve the quality of tubers. Hence, experiments were carried out in 2015 and 2016 cropping seasons to determine the impact of various levels of ZnSO4 fertilizer on soil chemical properties, foliage and storage root yields and proximate qualities of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.). The experiments consisted of 5 levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg ha-1) of ZnSO4 fertilizer. These were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. ZnSO4 increased (with the exception of P) soil chemical properties compared with the control. N, K, Ca, Mg and Zn were increased up to the 20 kg ha-1 ZnSO4 level in both years. ZnSO4 reduced P concentrations in soil as the level increased. For sweet potato performance, 5 kg ha-1 ZnSO4 fertilizer had the highest values of foliage yield (vine length and vine weight) and storage root yield. Using the mean of the two years and compared with the control, ZnSO4 fertilizer at 5 kg ha-1 increased storage root yield of sweet potato by 17.4%. On fitting the mean storage root yield data of the two years with a cubic equation, the optimum rate of Zn for sweet potato was found to be 3.9 kg ha-1 to achieve the maximum sweet potato yield. In this study, relative to the control, ZnSO4 fertilizer increased moisture and decreased the fibre contents of sweet potato. There were no consistent patterns of variation between the 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg ha-1 ZnSO4 treatments for proximate qualities except that the highest values of fat, protein, carbohydrate and ash was at 5 kg ha-1 ZnSO4.


Geoderma ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 321 ◽  
pp. 52-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yonggan Zhao ◽  
Shujuan Wang ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
Yuqun Zhuo ◽  
...  

1998 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. POWELL ◽  
F. N. IKPE ◽  
Z. C. SOMDA ◽  
S. FERNÁNDEZ-RIVERA

Most farming systems in semi-arid West Africa rely on organic matter recycling for maintaining soil fertility. The cycling of biomass through ruminant livestock into dung (faeces) and urine that fertilize the soil has long been an important factor in t he nutrient cycling processes of these integrated, mixed crop/livestock systems. While dung greatly improves soil properties and crop yields, little is known about the effects of urine on soil chemical properties and the impact of dung and urine on crop p roduction. An average voiding of sheep urine applied to a sandy, siliceous soil in the Republic of Niger increased soil pH, available phosphorus and ammonium levels dramatically in the upper 10–15 cm of soil, especially during the first week following application. Losses of applied urine nitrogen via volatilization were in the order of 30–50%. A four-year field trial was conducted on the same soil type to evaluate the effects on pearl millet and weed yields of corralling cattle o r sheep overnight on cropland (dung plus urine application) for one, two or three nights, every one, two or three years versus the effects of applying only dung at the same application rates and intervals achieved with corralling. The main results of this field trial were that (1) urine had large positive effects on millet grain, threshed panicle, leaf, stem and weed yields, (2) sheep dung was more effective than cattle dung in increasing yield, (3) two nights of dung application was adequate for maximum yield and (4) the positive effects of dung and urine on yield lasted two to three cropping seasons after application.


Soil Research ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 461 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Kavvadias ◽  
M. Doula ◽  
M. Papadopoulou ◽  
Sid. Theocharopoulos

Disposal of untreated olive-mill wastewater (OMW) is a major environmental problem in many Mediterranean countries. This study assessed the impact of OMW application on soil microbiological properties and explored the relationship to soil chemical properties during a 9-month, periodical soil-sampling campaign in a pilot study area in Crete, South Greece. Cases studied involved: direct application of OMW on soil; OMW disposal in active evaporation ponds; sites hosting evaporation ponds that have been inactive for the past 9 years; sites downstream of active evaporation ponds; and control soils, upstream of the waste-disposal ponds. Long-term OMW disposal on land affected the main soil chemical properties. Applicability of the results from the systematic monitoring was confirmed by results obtained in other OMW disposal sites around the pilot area. Soil microbial properties (microbial activity, microbial biomass carbon, and metabolic quotient) were considerably affected by OMW disposal. Moreover, seasonal changes of soil properties revealed short- and long-term residual effects due to OMW disposal. Significant correlations were observed among soil microbial characteristics and soil chemical properties, clearly indicating a close relationship between chemical properties and the transformation of microbial communities in soil after OMW land spreading. The determination of a key set of chemical and microbiological parameters that can be used as indicators for monitoring soil quality at olive-mill waste-disposal areas will verify the efficiency of the techniques used for the land disposal of OMW and will consequently promote their sustainable management.


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