ASABE Technical Library - Abstract

Abstract. Soil salinity issues in China‘s Hetao Irrigation District have not only suppressed agricultural production, but also severely threatened regional ecosystems. Field investigations, soil sampling, along with materials from former studies and investigations served in the analysis of the factors influencing the distribution of soil salinity in Hetao Irrigation District. Besides natural factors as geology, topography, geomorphology and soil texture, human activities were found have a strong effect on the distribution of soil salinity. Fluctuating water tables and subsurface salinity caused by improper irrigation and drainage, as well as agricultural cultural practices and land use patterns strongly influence the spatiotemporal distribution of soil salinity. Therefore, a reasonable irrigation and drainage schedule, an optimized planting layout, as well as a reasonable exploitation of shallow groundwater can improve the soil environment and prevent secondary salinization.