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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2015, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (5): 1-11.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20150501

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Effects of Surface Artificial Cover on Water Holding Capacity of Desertified Soils in Ningxia

Li Zhigang1,2, Li Jian2, Xie Yingzhong1   

  1. 1. School of Agriculture, Ningxia University Yinchuan 750021;
    2. State Key Laboratory of The Seedling Bioengineering Yinchuan 750004
  • Received:2014-09-15 Revised:2015-04-10 Online:2015-05-25 Published:2015-06-11

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Abstract:

【Objective】 The effects of surface artificial cover on water holding capacity of desertified soils in Ningxia was studied in order to provide technology support to ecological construction and agricultural production for local desertified lands, and to promote recycling of local forest residues.【Method】 Wood chips produced from poplar trees and branches of willow trees were used respectively as additions to the surface soil and mulch. Experiments were set up in soils with and without irrigation in the center of Yinchuan Desert in the eastern foot of Helan Mountain in Ningxia with four treatments each with five replications: addition of wood chips into the surface soil (CA), cover with mulch (CM), addition of wood chips plus cover with branches (CA+BM), and control (CK). Effects of the four treatments on soil water storage, soil temperature, soil bulk density, total porosity, capillary porosity, non capillary porosity, saturated water holding capacity, capillary water holding capacity and non capillary water holding capacity were tested. 【Result】Soil water storage showed a tendency as CA+BM> CA> CM> CK under irrigated condition, and their mean values were 19.14, 18.27, 14.65,and 10.20 mm respectively. However, the tendency was CA+BM> CM> CA> CK under unirrigated condition, and their mean values were 10.95, 10.05, 7.75,and 6.92 mm respectively. Both daily mean temperature and daily maximal temperature showed in order of CA+BM< CM< CA and CK under irrigated condition, and found there was no regular change between CA and CK, the mean values obtained from daily mean temperature of CA+BM, CM, CA and CK were 24.16, 25.37, 26.66,and 26.27 ℃ respectively, from daily maximal temperature were 26.72, 27.73, 31.77,and 31.88 ℃ respectively; however, both temperatures showed in order of CA+BM< CM< CA< CK under unirrigated condition, and the mean values from daily mean temperature were 24.50, 25.67, 26.76,and 27.20 ℃ respectively, from daily maximal temperature were 27.23, 27.92, 31.09,and 32.74 ℃ respectively. Soil density presented as CA+BM and CA< CM and CK under both irrigated and unirrigated conditions, and there was no significant difference not only between CA+BM and CA, but also between CM and CK (P> 0.05). The tendency of total porosity, capillary porosity and no capillary porosity presented as CA+BM> CA> CM> CK under both irrigated and unirrigated conditions. While saturated water holding capacity, capillary water holding capacity and non capillary water holding capacity showed CA+BM> CA> CM and CK under irrigated condition, and found there were no significant difference between CM and CK (P> 0.05). However, they changed as CA+BM and CA> CM and CK under unirrigated condition, and there were no significant difference not only between CA+BM and CA, but also between CM and CK (P> 0.05). 【Conclusion】All strategies of branch addition, mulch and addition plus mulch can increase water holding capacity of desertified soils. Correlation analysis indicated that cover with wood chips or branches on soil surface for water conservation was by lowering soil temperature and preventing evaporation, addition of wood chips to soils to conserve soil water was by improving physical properties of soil water. Addition of wood chips addition plus cover with branches to conserve soil water by both lowering soil temperature and improving soil physical properties. So, all strategies in this study can be chosen and applied in ecological construction and agricultural production of desertified soil according to local practical condition.

Key words: mulch, chips, tree branches, desertification soil, water holding capacity, Ningxia

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