Authors : Xiumei Liu , Chunjian Shi , Wenju Liang , Yong Jiang , Deming Jiang and Yosef Steinberger
Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the spatial distribution patterns of soil properties related to salinity and alkalinity including soil Electrical Conductivity (EC), exchangeable Na+, Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) and soil pH in the grassland meliorated in 2005 (G1ym) and meliorated in 2001 (G5ym), respectively, in Horqin Sand Land, Northeast China. The results showed that EC, exchangeable Na+, ESP and soil pH decreased by 3.92-41.96% under G5ym compared with G1ym. Significant differences were observed on EC, exchangeable Na+, ESP and soil pH between G5ym and G1ym (p< 0.05). Positively correlations were found between soil pH and EC, ESP and exchangeable Na+ and between EC and ESP (p< 0.05). Semivariogram models and parameters showed that the sill value and spatial dependence of EC, exchangeable Na+, ESP and soil pH were lower and their ranges and fractal dimension were higher under G1ym than under G5ym, indicating that the spatial variability was lower under G1ym than under G5ym. Kriging-interpolated maps also reflect the different spatial distribution patterns of soil properties tested between G5ym and G1ym. The obtained data in the present study suggest that the level of soil salinity and alkalinity has been alleviated with the period of melioration. It was inferred that the increase of vegetation coverage after melioration may contribute to the decrease of soil salinity and alkalinity and improve the spatial variability of soil properties at the same time.
Xiumei Liu , Chunjian Shi , Wenju Liang , Yong Jiang , Deming Jiang and Yosef Steinberger , 2007. Spatial Variability of Soil Properties Related to Salinity and Alkalinity in Meliorated Grasslands of Horqin Sand Land, Northeast China . Agricultural Journal, 2: 564-569.