How the timing of magnetized brackish water irrigation affects the spatiotemporal distribution of soil water and salt and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield
摘要
Brackish water is commonly used for cotton irrigation in arid regions due to freshwater scarcity, but its long-term use often leads to soil salinization and yield reduction. Magnetized brackish water irrigation offers a potential solution to this problem. A field experiment was conducted comprising four irrigation treatments: brackish water applied throughout BBCH 10–89 (BB), brackish water applied during BBCH 10–59 followed by magnetized brackish water during BBCH 60–89 (BBM), magnetized brackish water applied during BBCH 10–59 followed by brackish water during BBCH 60–89 (BMB), and magnetized brackish water applied throughout BBCH 10–89 (BMBM). The effects of the treatments on soil water and salt distributions, cotton growth, yield, and water use efficiency (WUE) were evaluated under mulched drip irrigation. Magnetized brackish water irrigation reduced salt accumulation in the 0–40 cm soil layer, enhanced salt leaching, and improved plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, yield, and WUE compared with conventional brackish water irrigation.The effectiveness of the treatments was BMBM > BMB > BBM > BB. Magnetized irrigation substantially alleviated root-zone salt stress and increased cotton yield, demonstrating that the appropriate timing of magnetized brackish water irrigation optimized soil desalination, productivity, and WUE in saline farmland.