Electrical Conductivity in Soil Extracts: Chemical Factors and Their Intensity

The electrical conductivity （EC） of 1：5 soil-water extract （EC1：5） was studied utilizing path coefficient analysis. The study focused on revealing the main chemical factors contributing to EC of soil extracts and their relative importance. Results showed that the most important factors influencing the EC1：5 of coastal salt-affected soils were the concentration of salt in 1：5 soil-water extract （So）, Cl^-, and the sodium adsorption ratio （SAR）, while effects of pH, CO3^2-, HCO3^, soluble sodium percentage （SSP）, and sodium dianion ratio （SDR） were very weak. Though the direct path coefficients between EC1：5 and SO4^2- , Ca^2＋, Mg^2＋, K^＋, or Na^＋ were not high, influence of other chemical factors caused the coefficients to increase, making the summation of their direct and indirect path coefficients relatively high. Evidences showed that multiple regression relations between EC1：5 and most of the primary factors （So, Cl^-, and SAR） had sound reliability and very good accuracy.

Effects of physical properties on electrical conductivity of compacted lateritic soil

Natural soils of various types have different electrical properties due to the composition,structure,water content,and temperature.In order to investigate the electrical properties of lateritic soil,electrical conductivity experiments have been conducted on a self-developed testing device.Test results show that the electrical conductivity of laterite increases with the increase of water content,degree of saturation and dry density.When the water content is below the optimum water content,the electrical conductivity of soils increases nonlinearly and the variation rate increases dramatically.However,when the water content,degree of saturation,or dry density increases to a certain value,the electrical conductivity tends to be a constant.In addition,soil electrical conductivity increases with the increase of temperature,and it is observed that the electrical conductivity decreases with the increase of the number of wetting–drying cycles.

Mapping Soil Electrical Conductivity Using Ordinary Kriging Combined with Back-propagation Network

Accurate mapping of soil salinity and recognition of its influencing factors are essential for sustainable crop production and soil health. Although the influencing factors have been used to improve the mapping accuracy of soil salinity, few studies have considered both aspects of spatial variation caused by the influencing factors and spatial autocorrelations for mapping. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that the ordinary kriging combined with back-propagation network(OK_BP), considering the two aspects of spatial variation, which can benefit the improvement of the mapping accuracy of soil salinity. To test the effectiveness of this approach, 70 sites were sampled at two depths(0–30 and 30–50 cm) in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China. Ordinary kriging(OK), back-propagation network(BP) and regression kriging(RK) were used in comparison analysis; the root mean square error(RMSE), relative improvement(RI) and the decrease in estimation imprecision(DIP) were used to judge the mapping quality. Results showed that OK_BP avoided the both underestimation and overestimation of the higher and lower values of interpolation surfaces. OK_BP revealed more details of the spatial variation responding to influencing factors, and provided more flexibility for incorporating various correlated factors in the mapping. Moreover, OK_BP obtained better results with respect to the reference methods(i.e., OK, BP, and RK) in terms of the lowest RMSE, the highest RI and DIP. Thus, it is concluded that OK_BP is an effective method for mapping soil salinity with a high accuracy.

Delineation of Site-Specific Management Zones Based on Temporal and Spatial Variability of Soil Electrical Conductivity

A coastal saline field of 10.5 ha was selected as the study site and 122 bulk electrical conductivity (ECb) measurements were performed thrice in situ in the topsoil (0-20 cm) across the field using a hand held device to assess the spatial variability and temporal stability of the distribution of soil electrical conductivity (EC), to identify the management zones using cluster analysis based on the spatiotemporal variability of soil EC, and to evaluate the probable potential for site-specific management in coastal regions with conventional statistics and geostatistical techniques. The results indicated high coefficients of variation for topsoil salinity over all the three samplings. The spatial structure of the salinity variability remained relatively stable with time. Kriged contour maps, drawn on the basis of spatial variance structure of the data, showed the spatial trend of the salinity distribution and revealed areas of consistently high or consistently low salinity, while a temporal stability map indicated stable and unstable regions. On the basis of the spatiotemporal characteristics, cluster analysis divided the site into three potential management zones, each with different characteristics that could have an impact on the way the field was managed. On the basis of the clearly defined management zones it was concluded that coastal saline land could be managed in a site-specific way.

The Effects of the Chemical Components of Soil Salinity on Electrical Conductivity in the Region of the Delta Oasis of Weigan and Kuqa Rivers,China

In order to assess the effects of chemical properties of soil salinity on electrical conductivity of 1：5 soil/water extract （EC1：5）, the study focused on revealing the main chemical factors contributing to EC of soil extracts and their relative importance. The relationship between EC1：5 and the chemical properties of soil salinity in the delta oasis of Weigan and Kuqa rivers, China, were studied using path coefficient analysis, a path analysis method. We studied each key element affecting EC1：5 either directly or indirectly. The results obtained show that the salt content, total dissolved solids （TDS）, and the sum of the sodium ion concentration and the kalium ion concentration are the most influential factors on 1：5 soil/ water extract （EC1：5） in the 0-10 cm and the 30-50 cm soil layer. The results show that the sequence of direct path coefficients in the 0-10 cm and the 30-50 cm soil layers on soil conductivity is TDS→Na^＋ ＋ K^＋→Salt content→Ca^2＋→Cl-→the sodium dianion ratio （SDR）→pH→ SO4^2-→HCO3^-→Mg^2＋→the soluble sodium percentage （SSP） sodium absorption ratio （SAR） and TDS→Salt content→Na^＋ ＋ K^＋→Ca^2＋→SDR→Mg^2＋→HCO3^-→SSP→pH→SO4^2-→SAR→Cl^-. The salt content, chlorine ion, and SAR are the main factors affecting 1：5 soil/water extract （EC1：5） in the 10-30 centimeter soil layer. The order of direct path coefficients result is as follows： Salt content→Cl^-→SAR→SSP→TDS→Ca^2＋→Mg^2＋= SO4^2-→HCO3^-→pH→SDR→Na^- ＋ K^＋. Moreover, the effects of HCO3^-, pH were very weak. Though the direct path coefficients between EC1：5 and SAR, SO4^2- and Ca^2＋ were not high, influence of other chemical factors caused the coefficients to increase, making the summation of their direct and indirect path coefficients relatively high. The models of the different soil layers were structured separately. Evidences showed that multiple regression relations between EC1：5 and most of the primary factors had sound reliability and very good accuracy. The research results can serve as a reference to the scientific management amelioration and utilization of saline in the Delta Oasis of Weigan and Kuqa rivers.

Determining osmotic suction through electrical conductivity for unsaturated low-plasticity soils

Determining osmotic suction from the electrical conductivity(EC)of soil pore water was widely reported in the literature.However,while dealing with unsaturated soils,they do not have enough soil pore water to be extracted for a reliable measurement of EC.In this paper,the chilled-mirror dew-point hygrometer and contact filter paper method were used to determine the total and matric suctions for low-plasticity soils with different salinities(0.05‰,2.1‰,and 6.76‰).A new piecewise function was proposed to calculate the osmotic suction,with the piecewise point corresponding to the first occurrence of precipitated salt in mixed salt solutions(synthetic seawater).EC,ion and salt concentrations used for osmotic suction calculation were transformed from the established relationships of mixed salt solution instead of experimental measurement.The calculated osmotic suction by the proposed equation and the equations in the literature was compared with the indirectly measured one(the difference between the measured total and matric suctions).Results showed that the calculated osmotic suction,especially the one calculated using the proposed function,was in fair agreement with the indirectly measured data(especially for specimens with higher salinity of 6.76‰),suggesting that the transformation of EC and concentrations from the established relationship is a good alternative to direct measurement for lowplasticity soil.In particular,the proposed method could be applied to unsaturated low-plasticity soils which do not have enough soil pore water for a proper EC measurement.

Apparent Mobilities of Na^+, K^+and Ca^(2+) Ions in Variable Charge Soil Colloid Systems

In this paper a simple method for determination of the apparent mobility of cation in a soil colloid system was described. With this method apparent mobilities of Na+, K+, and Ca2+ ions in the systems of the ferric luvisol, acrisol, and ferralsol were determined, and the reduction percentages of the mobilities were calculated. The results showed that the apparent mobilities of different cations at the same normality in a given soil system were in the order UNa> UK> UCa; those of the same cations among different soil systems were in the order ferralsol > acrisol > ferric luvisol, but the reduction percentages were in a reverse order, which among different cations at the same normality was Ca2+> K+> Na+ for ferric luvisol and acrisol systems, but was K+> Ca2+> Na+ for farralsol system. These results were interpreted in terms of different amounts of negative charge the clay fraction of different soils carries, and different mechanisms by which the soils adsorb the cations.

Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery Application to Monitor Soil Salinity and Calcium Carbonate Contents in Agricultural Fields

The estuary tides affect groundwater dynamics;these areas are susceptible to waterlogging and salinity issues.A study was conducted on two fields with a total area of 60 hectares under a center pivot irrigation system that works with solar energy and belong to a commercial farm located in Northern Sudan.To monitor soil salinity and calcium carbonate in the area and stop future degradation of soil resources,easy,non-intrusive,and practical procedures are required.The objective of this study was to use remote sensing-determined Sentinel-2 satellite imagery using various soil indices to develop prediction models for the estimation of soil electrical conductivity(EC)and soil calcium carbonate(CaCO_(3)).Geo-referenced soil samples were collected from 72 locations and analyzed in the laboratory for soil EC and CaCO_(3).The electrical conductivity of the soil saturation paste extract was represented by average values in soil dataset samples from two fields collected from the topsoil layer(0 to 15 cm)characteristic of the local salinity gradient.The various soil indices,used in this study,were calculated from the Sentinel-2 satellite imagery.The prediction was determined using the root mean square error(RMSE)and cross validation was done using coefficient of determination.The results of regression analysis showed linear relationships with significant correlation between the EC analyzed in laboratory and the salinity index-2“SI2”(Model-1:R^(2)=0.59,p=0.00019 and root mean square error(RMSE=1.32%)and the bare soil index“BSI”(Model-2:R^(2)=0.63,p=0.00012 and RMSE=6.42%).Model-1 demonstrated the best model for predicting soil EC,and validation R^(2)and RMSE values of 0.48%and 1.32%,respectively.The regression analysis results for soil CaCO_(3)determination showed linear relationships with data obtained in laboratory and the bare soil index“BSI”(Model-3:R^(2)=0.45,p=0.00021 and RMSE=1.29%)and the bare soil index“BSI”&Normalized difference salinity index“NDSI”(Model-4:R^(2)=0.53,p=0.00015 and RMSE=1.55%).The validation confirmed the Model-3 results for prediction of soil CaCO_(3)with R^(2)and RMSE values of 0.478%and 1.29%,respectively.Future soil monitoring programs might consider the use of remote sensing data for assessing soil salinity and CaCO_(3)using soil indices results generated from satellite image(i.e.,Sentinel-2).

机械深松对苏打盐碱土盐碱特征及玉米生长的影响

以苏打盐碱土为研究对象,设置常规耕作不深松(CK)、机械深松30 cm(S30)和机械深松40 cm(S40)3种耕作处理,采用田间大区试验研究了机械深松耕作对苏打盐碱土不同土层盐碱特征及玉米生长的影响。结果表明:S30和S40处理中0~10、10~20、20~30、30~40、40~50 cm各层土壤电导率(EC)和pH均低于CK处理,整体上看,S40处理各层土壤平均EC和pH下降幅度大于S30处理;机械深松耕作显著提高了玉米植株株高、穗位高、穗长、穗粗、行粒数和籽粒产量,对植株茎粗和秃尖长无显著影响,S40处理玉米作物长势好于S30处理(P<0.05);S30、S40处理籽粒产量分别为8542.87、9020.33 kg/hm2,比CK处理分别高16.40%、22.90%。综上所述,机械深松耕作可以有效削弱苏打盐碱土盐害和碱害,改善土壤性状,促进玉米作物的生长,深松40 cm效果优于深松30 cm。

基于电阻的冻结砂砾土孔隙冰压融效应研究

为验证冻结砂砾土压缩过程中是否存在压融效应,对不同含水(冰)状态与不同冻结温度的砂砾土进行无侧限压缩试验和电阻测试,通过核磁共振测定饱和砂砾土的未冻水含量。结果表明:(1)砂砾土压缩过程电阻均先快速降低后趋缓,仅有干燥样品在应力峰值点后出现电阻增大的现象;(2)电阻快速降低阶段干燥样品的电阻降低率小于饱和冻结样品,−4℃饱和样品该值为26.8%,其值为相同温度下干燥样品的4倍;(3)随温度降低,电阻快速降低阶段的降低率先增加后减小;(4)随温度降低,自由水与毛细水的相对含量快速减小,吸附水的相对含量先小幅增加后缓慢降低。分析认为:冻结砂砾土压缩过程中存在压融效应,这导致样品在受荷过程中高应力区未冻水含量增大,而融水会沿未冻水膜向低应力区的孔隙迁移、复冰进而改变孔隙结构;冻结温度在−2~−4℃区间附近,压融效应更容易发生。

秸秆还田对苏打盐碱土pH、电导率及玉米生长的影响

通过田间试验,分析玉米秸秆不同还田方式对苏打盐碱土pH、电导率及玉米生长的影响。结果表明,在作物整个生长阶段内,处理HCS与FCS中0~20 cm土壤pH均低于CK,但30~50 cm略高于CK;处理HCS与FCS中各层土壤EC均低于CK;相比CK,处理HCS与FCS玉米株高、茎粗、穗位高、穗长、穗粗均增加;二者产量分别比CK高6.70%和18.25%。综上,秸秆还田可有效减轻苏打盐碱土的碱害和盐害,促进玉米生长,提高产量,玉米秸秆还田量为1.2 t/hm^(2)的作用效果优于还田量为0.6 t/hm^(2)。

基于Wenner和Schlumberger双组态融合的土壤电导率测量装置

土壤电导率的准确、实时和原位获取可为农业生产精准管理提供有效的数据支撑,为提高传统电流-电压四端法测量精度,该研究基于电流-电压四端法3种测量组态,开展土壤电导率主要影响因素(土壤含水率、电极入土深度、土壤坚实度和土壤处理方式)对电流-电压四端法的3种测量组态测量精度影响的试验。结果表明,Wenner和Schlumberger两种测量组态可较好地适用于不同土壤环境条件。进一步以Wenner和Schlumberger两种测量组态所测土壤电导率值为输入量,基于BP神经网络构建了双组态融合的土壤电导率回归模型,并在此基础上设计了一种土壤电导率测量装置,该装置主要包括JESTON nano、STM32单片机数据采集模块、传感器、激励源及差分放大模块等组件。工作稳定性试验结果显示,该装置在不同土壤电导率梯度条件下测量数据的标准偏差均小于0.43μS/mm;田间性能对比试验结果显示,该装置测量数据的均方根误差值为0.18μS/mm,测量精度优于传统单独测量组态和市面常用土壤电导率测量仪,以上结果表明所研制的土壤电导率测量装置具有较好的工作稳定性和测量精度。该研究可为田间土壤信息的实时原位采集提供一种高精度的检测工具和技术手段。

脱硫石膏改良盐碱土壤综合效果评价研究

为探究区域脱硫石膏改良盐碱土壤的综合效果,通过文献调研统计分析了施加量在0~60 t·hm^(–2)范围内的脱硫石膏,对土壤pH、交换性钠百分率、浸提液电导率和作物产量的变化特征。基于灰色关联分析法和熵权法建立了以脱硫石膏施加量为自变量的盐碱土壤综合改良评价模型。结果表明:施用脱硫石膏可降低土壤pH和交换性钠百分率,提高作物产量(油葵、苜蓿、玉米、水稻、小麦、枸杞和甜高粱),但增加了土壤浸提液的电导率值。随着脱硫石膏施加量的增加,土壤pH和交换性钠百分率的降低率及作物产量的增加率呈先增加后减少的趋势,而土壤浸提液电导率的增加率呈增加的趋势。在中度或重度盐碱土壤为获得作物高产,脱硫石膏施加量不宜超过30 t·hm^(–2)。为综合分析脱硫石膏改良盐碱土壤的效果,本文基于熵权—灰色关联度评价模型,分析脱硫石膏最佳施加量。轻、中度盐碱土施加18~22 t·hm^(–2)的脱硫石膏;重度盐碱土施加23~29 t·hm^(–2)的脱硫石膏可取得良好的改土增产效果。研究成果为脱硫石膏改良盐碱土壤提供参考依据。

Influence of CO_2 Doubling on Water Transport Process at Root/Soil Interface of Pinus sylvestris var. sylvestriformis Seedlings

Water transport at the root/soil interface of 1 year old Pinus sylvestris Linn. var. sylvestriformis (Takenouchi) Cheng et C. D. Chu seedlings under CO 2 doubling was studied by measuring soil electric conductance to survey soil water profiles and comparing it with root distribution surveyed by soil coring and root harvesting in Changbai Mountain in 1999. The results were: (1) The profiles of soil water content were adjusted by root activity. The water content of the soil layer with abundant roots was higher. (2) When CO 2 concentration was doubled, water transport was more active at the root/soil interface and the roots were distributed into deeper layer. It was shown in this work that the method of measuring electric conductance is an inexpensive, non_destructive and relatively sensitive way for underground water transport process.

宁波地区长期非粮化生产对耕层土壤理化性质的影响

本研究旨在探究宁波地区长期非粮化生产对耕层土壤理化性质的影响,为非粮化耕地的恢复利用提供参考依据。通过比较采集的全市130个非粮化耕地和53个对照样地的土壤样品,并结合地貌类型(水网平原、滨海平原、丘陵山区、河谷平原)和非粮化种植类型(苗木、果树)进行了系统分析。结果表明:非粮化耕地的土壤pH、有机质含量、土壤容重分别为5.74±0.83、24.72±8.01 g/kg和1.28±0.05 g/cm^(3),分别显著低于或高于周边水田的6.17±1.02、30.07±10.68 g/kg和1.18±0.05 g/cm^(3)(P<0.05)。不同地貌类型条件下,非粮化生产对耕层土壤理化性质的影响存在差异,其中对丘陵山区和河谷平原的耕地产生影响较大,导致土壤EC值、有机质和全氮含量均下降10%以上,土壤pH下降至酸性水平(pH<5.5)。2种非粮化生产方式(苗木和果树种植)均会不同程度导致土壤pH、EC值、CEC值、有机质和全氮含量下降与土壤容重上升,但苗木种植的影响程度均要大于果树种植,其中非粮化苗木地的有机质含量为22.90±7.18 g/kg,显著低于非粮化果园和对照样地的30.07±10.68 g/kg和26.87±8.44 g/kg(P<0.05)。研究表明,宁波地区长期非粮化生产导致土壤酸化、地力下降和土壤紧实度提高等问题,同时非粮化耕地的恢复利用应充分考虑地貌类型和非粮化种植类型等因素差异。

Using proximal sensor data for soil salinity management and mapping

Over the past five decades, increased pressure caused by the rapidly growing population has resulted in a reclamation of agricultural and urban buffer zones along China's coastline. However, information about the spatio–temporal variation of soil salinity in these reclaimed regions is limited. As such, obtaining this information is crucial for mapping the variation in saline areas and to identify suitable salinity management strategies. In this study, we employed EM38 data to conduct digital soil mapping of spatio–temporal variation and map these variations of different site-specific zones. The results indicated that the distribution of soil salinity was heterogeneous in the middle of, and that the leaching of salts was significant at the edges of, the study field. Afterwards, fuzzy-k means algorithm was used to divide the site-specific management zones within the time series apparent soil electrical conductivity(ECa) data and the spatial correlations of variation. We concluded that two management zones are optimal to guide precision management. Zone A had an average salinity level of about 165 mS m–1, in which salt-tolerant crops, such as cotton and barley can grow normally, while crops such as soybean and cowpeas may be planted using leaching and increasing the mulching film methods to reduce the accumulation of salt in surface soil. In Zone B, there was a low salinity level with a mean of 89 mS m–1 for ECa, which allows for rice, wheat, and a wide range of vegetables to be grown normally. In such situations, measures such as an optimized combination of irrigation and drainage, as well as soil amendment can be taken to adjust and control the salt content. Particularly, flattening the land with a large-scale machine was used to improve the ability of micro-topography to influence salt migration; rice and other dry, land crops were planted in rotation in combination with utilizing salt-leaching multiple times to speed up desalinization.

Effects of Soil Properties on Phosphorus Subsurface Migration in Sandy Soils

The soil factors influencing the potential migration of dissolved and particulate phosphorus(P) from structurally-weak sandy subsoils were evaluated by means of soil column leaching experiments. Soil colloids were extracted from two types of soils to make the colloid-bound forms of P solution. Eight sandy soils with diverse properties were collected for packing soil columns. The effects of influent solutions varying in concentrations of colloids,P,and electrolyte,on the transport of P and quality of leachates were characterized. P migration in the soils was soil property-dependent. High soil electrical conductivity values retarded the mobility of colloids and transportability of colloid-associated P(particulate P) . Soil electrical conductivity was negatively correlated with colloids and reactive particulate P(RPP) concentrations in the leachates,whereas,the total reactive P(TRP) and dissolved reactive P(DRP) concentrations in the leachates were mainly controlled by the P adsorption capacity and the P levels in the subsoil. The reactive particulate P in the leachates was positively correlated with the colloidal concentration. Increased colloidal concentration in the influent could significantly increase the colloidal concentration in the leachates. Elevated P concentration in the influent had little effect on P recovery in the leachates,but it resulted in significant increases in the absolute P concentration in the leachates.

Spatio-temporal variations of soil water content and salinity around individual Tamarix ramosissima in a semi-arid saline region of the upper Yellow River, Northwest China

Ecological restoration by Taman＇x plants on semi-arid saline lands affects the accumulation, distribution patterns and related mechanisms of soil water content and salinity. In this study, spatio-temporal variations of soil water content and salinity around natural individual Tamarix ramosissiraa Ledeb. were invetigated in a semi-arid saline region of the upper Yellow River, Northwest China. Specifically, soil water content, electrical conductivity （EC）, sodium adsorption ratio （SARa）, and salt ions （including Na＋, K＋, Ca2＋, Mg2＋ and 8042-） were measured at different soil depths and at different distances from the trunk of T. ramasissima in May, July, and September 2016. The soil water content at the 20-80 cm depth was significantly lower in July and September than in May, indicating that T. ramosissima plants absorb a large amount of water through the roots during the growing period, leading to the decreasing of soil water content in the deep soil layer. At the 0-20 cm depth, there was a salt island effect around individual T. ramosissima, and the ECe differed significantly inside and outside the canopy of T. ramosissima in May and July. Salt bioaccumulation and stemflow were two major contributing factors to this difference. The SAR at the 0-20 cm depth was significantly different inside and outside the canopy of T. ramosissima in the three sampling months. The values of SAR~ at the 60-80 cm depth in May and July were significantly higher than those at the 0-60 cm depth and higher than that at the corresponding depth in September. The distribution of Na＋ in the soil was similar to that of the SAI, while the concentrations of K＋, Ca2＋, and Mg2＋ showed significant differences among the sampling months and soil depths. Both season and soil depth had highly significant effects on soil water content, ECe and SARa, whereas distance from the trunk of T. ramosissima only significantly affected ECe. Based on these results, we recommend co-planting of shallow-rooted salt-tolerant species near the Tamarx plants and avoiding planting herbaceous plants inside the canopy of T. ramodssima for afforestation in this semi-arid saline region. The results of this study may provide a reference for appropriate restoration in the semi-arid saline regions of the upper Yellow River.

Effects of Drip System Uniformity and Irrigation Amount on Water and Salt Distributions in Soil Under Arid Conditions

The dynamics of water and salt in soil were monitored in the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons of cotton to evaluate the salinity risk of soil under drip irrigation in arid environments for different management practices of drip system uniformity and irrigation amount. In the experiments, three Christiansen uniformity coefficients （CU） of approximately 65, 80, and 95% （referred to as low, medium, and high uniformity, respectively） and three irrigation amounts of 50, 75, and 100% of full irrigation were used. The distribution of the soil water content and bulk electrical conductivity （ECb） was monitored continuously with approximately equally spaced frequency domain reflectometry （FDR） sensors located along a dripline. Gravimetric samples of soil were collected regularly to determine the distribution of soil salinity. A great fluctuation in CU of water content and ECb at 60 cm depth was observed for the low uniformity treatment during the irrigation season, while a relatively stable variation pattern was observed for the high uniformity treatment. The ECb CU was substantially lower than the water content CU and its value was greatly related to the water content CU and the initial ECb CU. The spatial variation of seasonal mean soil water content and seasonal mean soil bulk electrical conductivity showed a high dependence on the variation pattern of emitter discharge rate along a dripline for the low and medium uniformity treatments. A greater irrigation amount produced a significantly lower soil salinity at the end of the irrigation season, while the influence of the system uniformity on the soil salinity was insignificant at a probability level of 0.1. In arid regions, the determination of the target drip irrigation system uniformity should consider the potential salinity risk of soil caused by nonuniform water application as the influence of the system uniformity on the distribution of the soil salinity was progressively strengthened during the growing season of crop.

Wien Effect in Suspensions of Electrodialyzed Soil Particles and Its Influencing Factors

The electrical conductivity of suspensions and their supernatants from theelectrodialyzed clay fractions of latosol, yellow-brown soil and black soil equilibrated withnitrate solutions were determined at different field strengths using a short high-voltage pulseapparatus to demonstrate the Wien effect in soil suspensions and to investigate factors affectingit. It was found that Wien effect was much stronger in suspensions with a clay content of 30 gkg^(-1) from the soils equilibrated with a 1 X 10^(-4) KNO_3 solution than in their supernatants.The threshold field strength (TFS), at which the relative conductivity is equal to 1.05, i.e., theWien effect begins to be obvious, of the yellow-brown soil suspensions (clay content of 30 gkg^(-1)) equilibrated with different nitrate solutions of a concentration of 1 X 10^(-4)/z molL^(-1), where z is the valence, varied with the type of nitrates, being lowest for NaNO_3 (47 kVcm^(-1)) and highest for Ca(NO_3)_2 (98 kV cm^(-1)). At high field strengths (larger than 130 kVcm^(-1)), the relative conductivities of yellow-brown soil suspensions containing different nitratesdiminished in the order: NaNO_3 > KNO_3 > Mg(NO_3)_2 > Zn(NO_3)_2 > Ca(NO_3)_2. The rates andintensities of the Wien effect in the suspensions of the three soils equilibrated with 5 X 10^(-5)mol L^(-1) Ca(NO_3)_2 solution were in the order of the yellow-brown soil > the latosol > the blacksoil. The results for the yellow-brown soil suspensions (clay concentration of 30 g kg )equilibrated with KNO_3 solutions of various concentrations clearly demonstrated that the moredilute the solution, the lower the TFS, and the larger the relative conductivity of the suspensionsat high field strengths. The results for yellow-brown soil suspensions with different clayconcentrations indicated that as the clay concentration increased, the low field electricalconductivity, EC_0, also increased, but the TFS decreased, and the Wien effect increased.