Study reveals mechanisms to sustain stable crop yields under long-term drip irrigation in arid regions
Combining drip irrigation during the growing season with autumn or winter irrigation can help control soil salinity and sustain high, stable crop yields in the arid regions of northwestern China, according to a new study.
A new study published in npj Sustainable Agriculture reveals mechanisms to sustain stable crop yields under long-term drip irrigation in arid regions. Led by professor Chen Yaning from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, the research, conducted in collaboration with academician YIN Feihu and professor WANG Zhenhua, highlights the potential of combining drip irrigation during the growing season with autumn or winter irrigation.
The study indicates that this approach can help control soil salinity, a common issue in irrigated oases, while maintaining high and stable crop yields. By applying water at the soil surface during the off-season, accumulated salts are leached deeper into the soil profile, reducing salinity around crop roots and easing salt stress during early growth.
This coordinated irrigation strategy offers a practical model for irrigated agriculture in other arid regions, particularly where reservoir storage is limited.
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