Modelling of soil salinity and halophyte crop production

Soil salinity and sodicity are among the main problems for optimum crop production in areas where rainfall is not enough for leaching of salts out of the rooting zone. Application of organic and Ca-based amendments have the potential to increase crop yield and productivity under saline–alkaline soil environments. Based on this hypothesis, the present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of compost, Ca-based fertilizer industry waste (Ca-FW), and Ca-fortified compost (Ca-FC) to increase growth and yield of maize under saline–sodic soil conditions. Saline–sodic soil conditions with electrical conductivity (EC) levels (1.6, 5, and 10 dS m−1) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) = 15, were developed by spiking soil with a solution containing NaCl, Na2SO4, MgSO4, and CaCl2. Results showed that soil salinity and sodicity significantly reduced plant growth, yield, physiological, and nutrient uptake parameters. However, the application of Ca-FC caused a remarkable increase in the studied parameters of maize at EC levels of 1.6, 5, and 10 dS m−1 as compared to the control. In addition, Ca-FC caused the maximum decrease in Na+/K+ ratio in shoot up to 85.1%, 71.79%, and 70.37% at EC levels of 1.6, 5, and 10 dS m−1, respectively as compared to the control treatment. Moreover, nutrient uptake (NPK) was also significantly increased with the application of Ca-FC under normal as well as saline–sodic soil conditions. It is thus inferred that the application of Ca-FC could be an effective amendment to enhance growth, yield, physiology, and nutrient uptake in maize under saline–sodic soil conditions constituting the novelty of this work.

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Ground Observations and Environmental Covariates Integration for Mapping of Soil Salinity: A Machine Learning-Based Approach

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13234825 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (23) ◽

pp. 4825

Author(s):

Salman Naimi ◽

Shamsollah Ayoubi ◽

Mojtaba Zeraatpisheh ◽

Jose Alexandre Melo Dematte

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Soil Salinity ◽

Crop Production ◽

Soil Salinization ◽

Machine Learning Algorithms ◽

Support Vector ◽

Agricultural Activity ◽

Ensemble Modeling ◽

Least Squares Regression ◽

Environmental Covariates

Soil salinization is a severe danger to agricultural activity in arid and semi-arid areas, reducing crop production and contributing to land destruction. This investigation aimed to utilize machine learning algorithms to predict spatial soil salinity (dS m−1) by combining environmental covariates derived from remotely sensed (RS) data, a digital elevation model (DEM), and proximal sensing (PS). The study is located in an arid region, southern Iran (52°51′–53°02′E; 28°16′–28°29′N), in which we collected 300 surface soil samples and acquired the spectral data with RS (Sentinel-2) and PS (electromagnetic induction instrument (EMI) and portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF)). Afterward, we analyzed the data using five machine learning methods as follows: random forest—RF, k-nearest neighbors—kNN, support vector machines—SVM, partial least squares regression—PLSR, artificial neural networks—ANN, and the ensemble of individual models. To estimate the electrical conductivity of the saturated paste extract (ECe), we built three scenarios, including Scenario (1): Synthetic Soil Image (SySI) bands and salinity indices derived from it; Scenario (2): RS data, PS data, topographic attributes, and geology and geomorphology maps; and Scenario (3): the combination of Scenarios (1) and (2). The best prediction accuracy was obtained for the RF model in Scenario (3) (R2 = 0.48 and RMSE = 2.49), followed by Scenario (2) (RF model, R2 = 0.47 and RMSE = 2.50) and Scenario (1) for the SVM model (R2 = 0.26 and RMSE = 2.97). According to ensemble modeling, a combined strategy with the five models exceeded the performance of all the single ones and predicted soil salinity in all scenarios. The results revealed that the ensemble modeling method had higher reliability and more accurate predictive soil salinity than the individual approach. Relative improvement (RI%) showed that the R2 index in the ensemble model improved compared to the most precise prediction for the Scenarios (1), (2), and (3) with 120.95%, 56.82%, and 66.71%, respectively. We applied the best model in each scenario for mapping the soil salinity in the selected area, which indicated that ECe tended to increase from the northwestern to south and southeastern regions. The area with high ECe was located in the regions that mainly had low elevations and playa. The areas with low ECe were located in the higher elevations with steeper slopes and alluvial fans, and thus, relief had great importance. This study provides a precise, cost-effective, and scientific base prediction for decision-making purposes to map soil salinity in arid regions.

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Improving Crop Production on Salt-affected Soils: by Breeding or Management?

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479700026399 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 395-408 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

R. A. Richards

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Soil Salinity ◽

Crop Production ◽

Management Practices ◽

Crop Management ◽

Crop Productivity ◽

Or Management ◽

Perennial Vegetation ◽

Salt Affected Soils ◽

Irrigation Practices

SUMMARYThe area of salt-affected land is increasing because of irrigation practices and changed land use. Breeding crops that tolerate soil salinity and yield well in salt-affected soils, and employing crop management practices to counter salinity, have been proposed to maintain crop productivity. Here, it is argued that neither breeding nor management will adequately counter the effects of salinity. Although both offer the potential to maintain yields for a brief period, it is inevitable that salinity will continue to increase and crop productivity will decline. Only the establishment of a perennial vegetation that will maintain evapotranspiration at high levels all year round on both salt-affected land and recharge areas will halt the increase in salinization.Mejorar la producción en los suelos afectados por la sal

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Soil structure and crop yield over a 5-year period following subsoiling Solonetzic and Chernozemic soils in Saskatchewan

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.4141/cjss93-008 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

pp. 81-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

M. C. J. Grevers ◽

E. de Jong

Keyword(s):

Soil Water ◽

Soil Salinity ◽

Crop Production ◽

Soil Structure ◽

Soil Bulk Density ◽

First Year ◽

Soil Water Depletion ◽

Water Recharge ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Soil Water Recharge

The effect of subsoiling of Solonetzic and of Chernozemic soils was studied over a 5-yr period under dryland conditions and under irrigation, involving 11 farm sites, and 2 soil zones. Subsoiling reduced soil density for up to 3 yr on most of the Solonetzic soils and on one of the Chernozemic soils. Overwinter soil-water recharge in subsoiled Solonetzic soils was increased for up to 3 yr, but not in subsoiled Chernozemic soils. Under irrigated conditions, subsoiling reduced soil salinity and sodicity at one site; however, under dryland conditions soil salinity and sodicity levels remained unaltered. Crop emergence on one of the Solonetzic soils was decreased in the first year after subsoiling because of poor seedbed conditions. Subsoiling increased crop production on Solonetzic soils in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and in the 4th years, and at one site in the 5th year. Subsoiling did not affect crop production on Chernozemic soils. Increased crop production resulted from increased soil water depletion with depth, and also from greater crop water-use efficiency. Soil loosening by subsoiling, as indicated by decreased soil bulk density of the B horizon lasted up to 3 yr, during which the largest yield increases were measured. The results suggest that subsoiling may have to be repeated every 5 yr or more. Key words: Subsoiling, amelioration, soil water, crop growth

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Experimental Halophyte Growth in Saline Environments

10.22542/jnwra/2020/1/1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (2020) ◽

pp. 5-28

Keyword(s):

Soil Salinity ◽

Aboveground Biomass ◽

Root Biomass ◽

Crop Production ◽

Salt Content ◽

Chenopodium Quinoa ◽

Greenhouse Experiment ◽

Biofuel Production ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Saline Irrigation

Salinization of soil and water can pose a serious threat for irrigated agricultural lands in arid and semi-arid regions because high concentrations of salt can negatively impact crop production, and consequently, the agricultural economy. Halophytes are highly salt-tolerant plants that may provide a viable option for cultivation in saline areas, enabling economic production from previously unproductive land. Many halophytes can be used for human consumption, forage for livestock, or biofuel production. These plants may also remediate saline soils by taking up salt from the soil, thereby improving conditions for conventional crop production. This project looked at growth of two halophytic crops, AC Saltlander green wheatgrass (Elymus hoffmannii) and Rainbow quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa var. rainbow) under different salt stresses in a greenhouse experiment. We cultivated the crops in a greenhouse with crossed saline soil (2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 dS/m) and irrigation (1, 2, 4, and 6 dS/m) treatments. We measured plant height approximately bi-weekly until harvest. A subset of harvested biomass, roots and soil subsamples were analyzed for nutrient and salt content. Quinoa and AC Saltlander aboveground biomass were larger for soil salinities greater than 2 dS/m, with maximum measured biomass after harvest of more than 5 g for quinoa, and more than 12 g for AC Saltlander. Quinoa height was greatest on most dates for soil salinity of 4 dS/m. There was a significant relationship between increased soil salinity and Cl content of quinoa plant tissues, roots, and soil at harvest, but irrigation salinity had no significant effects on analyzed quinoa variables. AC Saltlander root biomass decreased with increasing soil salinity, but had greatest root biomass at the 2 and 6 dS/m irrigation salinities (the smallest and greatest irrigation salinity treatments). AC Saltlander aboveground biomass chemistry (i.e., Ca, Na, and Cl) responded significantly to differences in soil chemistry. Similarly, AC Saltlander aboveground biomass Ca, Na, S, and Cl was significantly affected by irrigation salinity. Overall, both halophytes germinated, grew, and produced seeds in the greenhouse experiment on saline Nevada soils, so they may be options for alternative crops on marginal lands in Nevada with moderately saline irrigation water.

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Nutrients Content in Some Vegetables Grown in South-Central Coastal Regions of Bangladesh

The Agriculturists ◽

10.3329/agric.v16i02.40342 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (02) ◽

pp. 43-57

Author(s):

AKM Faruk E Azam ◽

Md Taifur Rahman ◽

Muhammad Maniruzzaman ◽

Abdullah Al Zabir ◽

Md Nizam Uddin

Keyword(s):

Soil Salinity ◽

Crop Production ◽

Spinacia Oleracea ◽

Saline Soil ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Bottle Gourd ◽

Nutrient Contents ◽

South Central ◽

Salinity Levels ◽

The Relationship

Soil salinity is one of the most important abiotic stresses for crop production. A study was conducted to analyze the relationship between salinity level and nutrient contents in some popular vegetables grown in some selected tidal areas of Barguna and Patuakhali districts of Bangladesh. Samples of six different vegetables such as bottle gourd leaf (Lagenaria siceraria), sweet gourd leaf (Cucurbita maxima), radish leaf (Raphanus sativus), bean (Lablab niger), red amaranth (Amaranthus gangeticus) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) were collected along with soils from different locations of the study areas and were analyzed for phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S) contents. Soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were determined. In saline areas, comparatively lower amounts of P, K, Ca, Mg and S were detected in most of the collected vegetables than those of non-saline areas. Conversely, bottle gourd leaf, radish leaf and bean accumulated comparatively higher amount of Ca at higher salinity levels. The uptake of P by bottle gourd leaf and radish leaf, Mg by bottle gourd leaf and red amaranth was also higher in the saline soil. The inconsistent uptake of Ca, Mg and P were found in some vegetables due to the differences of fertilizer application and intercultural operation. The vegetables could tolerate moderate soil salinity (soil EC up to7.9 dSm-1) and might be recommended to grow in the tidal saline areas of Barguna and Patuakhali districts of Bangladesh. The Agriculturists 2018; 16(2) 43-57

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Seasonal study on soil salinity and its relation to other properties at Satkhira district in Bangladesh

Progressive Agriculture ◽

10.3329/pa.v30i2.42488 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 30 (2) ◽

pp. 157-164

Author(s):

U Kumar ◽

JR Mitra ◽

MY Mia

Keyword(s):

Soil Salinity ◽

Crop Production ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Dry Season ◽

P Value ◽

Optimum Level ◽

Wet Season ◽

Total N ◽

Properties Of Soil

The study was conducted at Shyamnagar and Talaupazila of Satkhira district in Bangladesh to know about the soil salinity and its relation to other properties of soil in both dry and wet season and comparison the present status of soil between two upazilas. Electrical Conductivity (EC) value of the study area showed that yield of many crops can be restricted in dry season due to salinity. Mean EC was slightly saline (5.93 dsm-1) in dry season and non- saline (0.61 dsm-1) in wet season. Ranges of pH were slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (6.2 to 7.5) in dry season and slightly acidic to neutral (5.7 to 6.9) in wet season. pH values indicate it was suitable for crop production. Mean Organic Matter (OM) status was low in both seasons (1.5 % in dry season and 1.6 % in wet season). Mean total N status was very low (0.08 %) in dry season and low (0.10 %) in wet season. Mean status of P in the study areas was low (8.08 µgg-1 soil) in dry season and very low (4.98 µgg-1 soil) in wet season. Mean status of K, Ca, Mg, S and Zn were very high in both season of study area and this was may be due to excessive fertilizer use and inherent properties of soil in the agricultural land. Mean status of B was high in Tala in both season and in Shyamnagar was high in dry season and optimum in wet season. To test the significance of the pair of parameters p-value has been measured. Pearson’s correlations among the different parameters were done to identify the highly correlated and interrelated soil quality parameters. EC showed significant and positive correlation with Potassium, Sulphur and Zinc in dry season. Although chemical properties of soil at Shyamnagar and Talaupazila was not found similar and optimum level but it was found that the chemical properties of soil of wet season more suitable than the dry season because of soil salinity. Progressive Agriculture 30 (2): 157-164, 2019

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Temporal Variability of Soil and Water Salinity and Its Effect on Crop at Kalapara Upazila

Journal of Environmental Science and Natural Resources ◽

10.3329/jesnr.v7i2.22218 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 111-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

MA Haque ◽

M Jahiruddin ◽

MA Hoque ◽

MZ Rahman ◽

D Clarke

Keyword(s):

Soil Salinity ◽

Crop Production ◽

Soil Sampling ◽

Water Salinity ◽

Dry Period ◽

Flooded Soils ◽

Leaf Injury ◽

Crop Fields ◽

Tube Wells ◽

Water Melon

Salinity is a serious threat to the crop production in the southern region of Bangladesh and it is especially important during dry period of a year. A study was undertaken to examine the changes in water and soil salinity over the period from February to April, 2014 at Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali district. Water samples were periodically collected from lake, pond, earthen well, deep tube-wells (5, 15 and 30 km away from the sea) and rivers (Tulatoli, Khaprabhanga, Sonatala and Andharmanik). Soil sampling was done from different crop fields (mustard, sweet gourd, potato, chilli, Khira-cucumber) and water melon and also from Sonatala and Andharmanik River flooded soils inside and outside polders. The electrical conductivity (EC) value of lake and pond waters was below 4 dS/m showing quite safe for irrigation while the EC value of earthen well exceeded 4 dS/m which are suitable in April. Water salinity of deep tube-wells (DTWs) increased as the DTW was closer to the sea, however all EC values were below 4 dS/m that suitable for irrigation, but not suitable for drinking purpose. Salinity level of all rivers tended to rise with the advancement of drying period, and for all dates of sampling, the EC value showed more than 4 dS/m. Soil salinity varied between inside and outside polder, and between mustard and sweet gourd fields, the higher EC values were observed outside polder and in the sweet gourd field. Soil EC levels were all above 4 dS/m particularly in April, crops showed varying degrees of leaf injury depending on the types of crops and extent of soil salinity. The EC values were positively correlated with Na and K contents of soil.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v7i2.22218 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 7(2): 111-114 2014

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Relationship Between Salinity and Crop Production in Different Hydrological Regimes Downstream of Muhuri Regulator

Sustainability in Environment ◽

10.22158/se.v4n4p203 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. p203

Author(s):

A.K.M.Alauddin Chowdhury ◽

Md. Habibur Rahman ◽

Md. Rashidul Alam ◽

Md. Abdus Sattar ◽

Md. Abdul Quddus

Keyword(s):

Soil Salinity ◽

Protected Area ◽

Crop Production ◽

Saline Water ◽

Residual Soil ◽

Rabi Season ◽

The Cross ◽

The Relationship ◽

Unprotected Area ◽

Hydrological Regimes

A large landmass was formed at the downstream of Feni river due to the construction of Muhuri regulator at a cross dam in Mirsaraiupazila of Chittagong district. But this land is more vulnerable to storm and tidal surges leading to saline water intrusion. The study site was selected from this area to investigate the relationship between salinity and crop production. Soil samples were collected from different hydrological regimes such as old protected area, new protected area, unprotected area and affected area from topsoil, subsoil and substratum in both wet and dry period. Crop yield of the sampling plots were recorded through farmer’s interview. It was found that, salinity of the study area was less than 4 dS/m both in aman and rabi season. Rice is a semi-tolerant crop (it can tolerate salinity up to 4 dS/m). So no significant relationship between soil salinity and rice yield was observed. Farmers of this area mainly cultivate khesari crop in rabi season. A significant positive correlation (correlation coefficient 0.97) was found between the soil salinity and khesari yield in unprotected area. Water salinity inside the cross dam was around 0.1 dS/m (rabi season), which is considered excellent for irrigation. But outside the cross dam it ranged in between 4.8-5.4 dS/m in aman season and 12.4-20.8 dS/m in rabi season, which was extremely toxic for irrigation for the cultivation boro rice. Although soil salinity permits to cultivate HYV rice in a man season but water logging is the main constraint. HYV rice in boro season can be cultivated in old and new protected area by utilizing Feni river water inside the Muhuri regulator and closure dam for irrigation purpose. But in unprotected area, it can not be cultivated due lack of suitable irrigation water and tidal flooding. In the study area, non-irrigated crop like khesari can be grown successfully just after aman season by utilizing residual soil moisture.

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Growth and instability of area under drip method of irrigation in south Gujarat- A district-wise analysis

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES ◽

10.15740/has/ijas/17.1/9-14 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 9-14

Author(s):

Deepa B. Hiremath ◽

J.J. Makadia

Keyword(s):

Transaction Cost ◽

Soil Salinity ◽

Growth Rates ◽

Drip Irrigation ◽

Crop Production ◽

Current Status ◽

Gujarat State ◽

Water Logging ◽

Scarce Water ◽

Ecological Hazards

The competition among the various sectors of the economy particularly agriculture for the scarce water is becoming intense as the demand for available water resources is fast exceeding the economic supply. Many farmers still adopt conventional methods of irrigation which not only results in severe wastage of water but reduces crop production and also cause ecological hazards like water logging and soil salinity. The mounting water scarcity in Gujarat state validates the adoption of water efficient technologies like drip irrigation. The present study for undertaken to examine the current status and growth performance of area under drip method of irrigation for various districts of South Gujarat using compound growth rates. Instability analysis was carried out using the formula given by Cuddy and Della to know the variation in area under drip irrigation in over the years. The findings of the study suggested that during the period 2005-06 to 2019-20, the area under drip method of irrigation in case of loanee respondents declined significantly over the years.This could be probably attributed to the excessive documentation and other procedural formalities which were discouraging for the less educated and illiterate farmers. It also led to increase in the transaction cost. On the contrary, the growth in non- loanee area was found to be positive and significant in majority of the districts of South Gujarat. Moreover, the variability in loanee and non–loanee area was recorded to be high i.e. that the area under drip in all the districts of South Gujarat region demonstrated to be unstable during the period of study.

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