SUCCESS STORY IMPROVEMENT OF ALKALIZED SALINIZED SOILS 17

IMPROVEMENT OF ALKALIZED SALINIZED SOILS - Transform Alkalized/Salinized Soils by Planting Salt-Resistance Species

SUCCESS STORY

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Technique:IMPROVEMENT OF ALKALIZED SALINIZED SOILS Project:Transform Alkalized/Salinized Soils by Planting Salt-Resistance Species Site:Ulan Buh Desert, Inner Mongolia Location Click the globe to see the technique on Google Earth Continent: Asia Country: China Site: Inner Mongolia Coordinates: Lat.: 44.00'' Long.: 113.00'' Brief introduction Taking the pilot project on introduction of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica on the salinized soil in the irrigated area of Ulan Buh Desert as an example. This species is native to Honghuaerji of eastern Inner Mongolia and it has been introduced to the mentioned salinized region for more than 15 years. Problems, causes and effects This species is native to Honghuaerji of eastern Inner Mongolia and it has been introduced to the mentioned salinized region for more than 15 years. The project site is characterized by lack of precipitation, frequent winds, strong evapotranspiration, and unwise flood irrigation with Yellow River water and secondary salinization.   In April 1982, three-year old seedlings of the species were transplanted on the salinized soil as the first step, and then trenches in a width of 1.5 metres and a depth of 1 metre to drain off salt were dug; legume grasses (sweet clover) were sown as green manure and plastic mulches were spaced to enable the growth of the tree since the second year of the plantation. Solutions/Project description The techniques for transforming alkalized/salinized soils include: (1) Selection and introduction of salt-resistant species as the pioneer varieties for improving unfertilized soils; (2) Preparation of trenches to develop a drainage system to reduce the salt concentration on soil surface; tree and shrub species that can grow in alkalized/salinized soils, such as Populus Euphratica, Calligonum klementzii, Tamarix spp., Haloxylon spp., Salix spp., Elaeagunus spp. were widely tested and they are successful for planti Conclusions As a result, the bole diametre of the plant was 6.98 cm and the mean height was 4.25 metres; the soil salinity dropped from 0.26% to 0.11%. The results of the pilot project shown that Pinus sylvesttric var. mongolica grew slowly if the salt concentration is as high as 0.17%. The experiment on the salt concentration in the newly reclaimed sand soil was 0.12% and therefore, this tree could be adopted to make afforestation on the salinized soil. Images TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE DATA Technique IMPROVEMENT OF ALKALIZED SALINIZED SOILS Icon Cathegory D - Soil and environment protection Identification code D11 Other Success stories RELATED TECHNIQUES Author: Alanna Gerardi Reference: DeepeningDownload PDF