Analysis of salts transport affected by root absorption capacity in surface — irrigated fields in the upper Yellow River basin

• Published in: Biológia Vol. 64; no. 3; pp. 570 - 574
• Main Authors: Yasutake, Daisuke, Takuya Araki, Weizhen Wang, Tetsuo Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Cho, Makito Mori, Masaharu Kitano
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Versita 01.06.2009; SP Versita
• Subjects: absorption; Biomedical and Life Sciences; calcium; Cell Biology; chlorides; crops; electrical conductivity; groundwater; ion concentration; ion transport; ions; irrigated farming; irrigated fields; irrigation; irrigation canals; Life Sciences; magnesium; Microbiology; nitrates; nutrients; physicochemical properties; plant growth; Plant Sciences; potassium; river water; root absorption; roots; salinity; salt transport; sodium; soil profiles; soil salinity; sulfates; surveys; transpiration; watersheds; Yellow River; Zoology; China; Yellow River; salinity; root absorption; irrigated fields; salt transport; ion concentration; Yellow River
• ISSN: 1336-9563; 0006-3088; 1336-9563
• DOI: 10.2478/s11756-009-0090-y

In order to analyze the salt transport affected by roots and its effects on soil salinity in an experimental irrigated field newly established in an alluvial valley of the Yellow River in China, spatial distribution of ions contained in waters, soils and crops relevant to these phenomena were evaluated there. During the intensive surveys conducted in year 2007–2008, the Yellow River water, irrigation canal water, groundwater, field soils and crops, etc. were sampled and their chemical characteristics such as electrical conductivity, concentrations of ions Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Cl−, SO42−and NO3− were measured. Irrigation seemed to cause increases in the concentrations of ions Na+, Cl− and SO42− in the groundwater. Although those were also major ions contained in the field soil, the soil was classed as saline but not sodic according to the standard classification. On the other hand, K+, which is one of the major essential nutrients for plant growth, was highly concentrated in the crops, while Na+ was not concentrated because of crop’s poor ability to absorb it. The ion concentration within the plant body seemed to be reflected by the active and selective ion uptake by roots and the transpiration stream. Furthermore, salt accumulation in the surface-irrigated field largely depended on the upward transport of water and ions in the soil profile affected by root absorption capacity. The information obtained in this study will contribute to the development of scientific methods for sustainable and effective plant production in irrigated fields.