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

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 4800

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Zhu Ouyang

E-Mail Website
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

E-Mail Website
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

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 4529 KiB  
Article
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
Viewed by 101
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 [...] Read more.
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 SR 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  
Article
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
Viewed by 716
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 [...] Read more.
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  
Article
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 503
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 [...] Read more.
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  
Article
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 410
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 [...] Read more.
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  
Article
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
Viewed by 1306
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 [...] Read more.
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 (SOCPOM) 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 (SOCMAOM) 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 SOCPOM and SOCMAOM, as well as the result of the structural equation model, showed a possible transformation process from SOCPOM to SOCMAOM 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  
Article
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 1 | Viewed by 979
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 [...] Read more.
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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