Desert reclamation using Yellow River irrigation water in Ningxia, China
Abstract
The effects of silt-laden Yellow River irrigation water on the properties of reclaimed dune sands were investigated at the Shapotou Research Station in Ningxia Autonomous Region, China. The practice resulted in distinct and rapid improvements in the physical and chemical properties of reclaimed desert soils. Irrigation led to the development of sandy loam topsoils, with up to 39 cm accumulating over 25 years of treatment. These topsoils had improved structure, greater soil organic matter contents and smaller bulk densities than buried desert sands. Geochemical analyses suggested river silt and sheep manure were making distinctive contributions to the improved soil fertility, with older topsoils having progressively greater concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, P, S, Fe, Mn and Zn. Soil Cr concentrations are increasing and it seems appropriate that changes in heavy metal concentrations in irrigated soils are monitored.Citation
Desert reclamation using Yellow River irrigation water in Ningxia, China 1995, 11 (2):77 Soil Use and ManagementPublisher
WileyJournal
Soil Use and ManagementAdditional Links
http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.1475-2743.1995.tb00500.xType
Journal articleLanguage
enISSN
0266-00321475-2743
ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1111/j.1475-2743.1995.tb00500.x