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Changes of Plant Growth and Soil Physicochemical Properties by Cultivating Different Economic Plant Species in Saline-Alkali Soil of Hetao Oasis, Inner Mongolia

Author

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  • Rong Ma

    (State Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Fengmei Du

    (Desert Control Center of Bayannur City, Bayannur 015000, China)

  • Yongli Qin

    (Desert Control Center of Bayannur City, Bayannur 015000, China)

  • Jianping Lv

    (Desert Control Center of Bayannur City, Bayannur 015000, China)

  • Guanying Xing

    (Inner Mongolia Academy of Forestry Sciences, Hohhot 010010, China)

  • Youjie Xu

    (Urat Rear Banner Management Station of National Nature Reserve of Haloxylon ammodendron and Equus hemionus , Bayannur 015543, China)

  • Na Fu

    (Urat Rear Banner Management Station of National Nature Reserve of Haloxylon ammodendron and Equus hemionus , Bayannur 015543, China)

  • Jun Qiao

    (Urat Rear Banner Management Station of National Nature Reserve of Haloxylon ammodendron and Equus hemionus , Bayannur 015543, China)

  • Guangyu Hong

    (Inner Mongolia Academy of Forestry Sciences, Hohhot 010010, China)

  • Shaokun Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
    Urat Desert-Grassland Research Station, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China)

Abstract

Due to prolonged irrigation from the Yellow River, a large area of farmland in the Hetao Oasis has undergone different degrees of salinization and alkalization, leading to reduced crop yields and incapable soil for plant growth. To enhance the productivity of the farmland with saline-alkali soils, it is important to select salt-tolerant economic plant species that are capable of growing under the local climate and soil conditions in the Hetao Oasis. We conducted the experiment by planting Ziziphus jujuba var. spinose , Elaeagnus angustifolia , Hippophae rhamnoides and Lycium chinense in the Bayan Taohai Farm of the Hetao Oasis. Changes of plant growth (the survival rate, plant height, canopy, basal diameter and new branch length) and soil physicochemical properties (soil organic carbon, total carbon, total nitrogen, pH, electrical conductivity and particle size distribution) were continuously monitored during two growing seasons. Results indicated that, by the end of the first growing season, the survival rate of the Z. jujuba was less than 10%, making it unsuitable for plantation in the saline-alkali soils of the Hetao Oasis. In terms of plant growth, the E. angustifolia exhibited the highest survival rate (94.71%) and the fastest growth rate, indicating that E. angustifolia is adapted in the saline-alkali soils of the Hetao Oasis. The survival rates for L. chinense and H. rhamnoides were 86.46% and 65.64%, respectively, indicating that these species could grow in the saline-alkali soils, but at a slower rate. From the perspective of soil improvement, E. angustifolia , H. rhamnoides and L. chinense could reduce the soil pH, and E. angustifolia could significantly increase soil nutrients. In conclusion, it is not recommended to plant Z. jujuba , while the E. angustifolia is recommended as a proper economic species to be widely planted in the saline-alkali soils of the Hetao Oasis. H. rhamnoides could be selectively planted in areas with better soil conditions, and the L. chinense could be planted following soil improvement measurements. The research enhanced the effective utilization of the saline-alkali farmland and provided proper economic plant species for sustainable agriculture management in the Hetao Oasis of Inner Mongolia.

Suggested Citation

  • Rong Ma & Fengmei Du & Yongli Qin & Jianping Lv & Guanying Xing & Youjie Xu & Na Fu & Jun Qiao & Guangyu Hong & Shaokun Wang, 2025. "Changes of Plant Growth and Soil Physicochemical Properties by Cultivating Different Economic Plant Species in Saline-Alkali Soil of Hetao Oasis, Inner Mongolia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:13:p:1421-:d:1691627
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wei Zhu & Shiguo Gu & Rui Jiang & Xin Zhang & Ryusuke Hatano, 2024. "Saline–Alkali Soil Reclamation Contributes to Soil Health Improvement in China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-25, July.
    2. Meir, M. & Zaccai, M. & Raveh, E. & Ben-Asher, J. & Tel-Zur, N., 2014. "Performance of Ziziphus jujuba trees correlates with tissue mineral content under salinity conditions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 47-55.
    3. Chaganti, Vijayasatya N. & Crohn, David M. & Šimůnek, Jirka, 2015. "Leaching and reclamation of a biochar and compost amended saline–sodic soil with moderate SAR reclaimed water," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 255-265.
    4. Yunquan Zhang & Peiling Yang, 2023. "A Simulation-Based Optimization Model for Control of Soil Salinization in the Hetao Irrigation District, Northwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-20, March.
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