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A review of saline-alkali soil improvements in China: Efforts and their impacts on soil properties

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  • Lei, Sihong
  • Jia, Xiaoxu
  • Zhao, Chunlei
  • Shao, Mingan

Abstract

It is a great challenge to manage and sustain agricultural production in saline-alkali soils due to their high salt content, poor structure, and low fertility, posing global threats to soil health, land sustainability, and food security. China, accounting for 10.1 % of the world’s saline-alkali land, faces increased pressure as arable land decreases, population increases, and economic grows. Since the 1960s, region-specific reclamation techniques, such as flood irrigation, drip irrigation with mulching, and drainage systems have been employed in China, and have brought about obvious reductions in salinity by over 60 % and pH improvements, with values decreasing from above 9.5 to below 8.5 for saline-alkali soils. More recent efforts have enabled China to develop extensive theoretical knowledge and management practices, culminating in a “Chinese solution” for saline-alkali land management. This review provides an overview of the occurrence, evolution, and challenges of saline-alkali soils in China. It also employs meta-analysis to synthesize management techniques, evaluate their effectiveness, and summarize the mechanisms that mitigate saline-alkali soil problems. This review highlights successful strategies and outcomes from typical saline-alkali regions in China, providing insights for future management practices and research of their global applicability.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei, Sihong & Jia, Xiaoxu & Zhao, Chunlei & Shao, Mingan, 2025. "A review of saline-alkali soil improvements in China: Efforts and their impacts on soil properties," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:317:y:2025:i:c:s0378377425003312
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109617
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    1. Han, Xin & Ma, Zhongxin & Zhang, Baozhong & Peng, Zhigong & Zhang, Kai & Li, Xin, 2025. "Regional dynamics in the irrigation requirement of maize and wheat crops in relation to changes in the climate and cultivated area in the Shandong’s Yellow River Basin," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    2. Lu, Dehao & Liu, Liu & Bai, Yanling & An, Qiang & Cheng, Yongming & Huang, Guanhua, 2025. "Deficit irrigation alleviates the increase in soil salinity content in saline-alkali regions of China and improves irrigation water productivity: A meta-analysis," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).

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