Influence of coarse‐textured soil layers under crop root zone on soil water and salt dynamics and crop yield in shallow groundwater areas

Abstract

AbstractCoarse‐textured soil layers under crop root zone could modify soil water and salt dynamics and affect crop growth. However, the influence is not thoroughly investigated, especially under shallow groundwater table and soil salinization conditions. For this purpose, we calibrated and validated a one‐dimensional agro‐hydrological model, LAWSTAC, for soil water and salt movement, and their interactions with maize growth in Northwest China. Simulation results fitted well with the measured values of soil water content, salt concentration, leaf area index, and crop yield for the maize growing seasons of 2012 and 2013. Further simulations were conducted to evaluate the influence of buried depths (80, 90, 100, and 110 cm) and thicknesses (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 cm) of a coarse sand layer under root zone on soil water storage, salt leaching, and crop yield. Results demonstrated that soil water and salt status in the root zone was related to the water content of the coarse‐textured soil layer. Water percolation increased rapidly when water content in the coarse layer was higher than a critical value, which could be beneficial for salt leaching but unfavorable for water retention in the root zone. These results could help understand the influence of the coarse‐textured soil layer on root zone water storage and salt leaching and provide guidance on the irrigation scheduling for salt leaching and crop growth in areas with salinization problems and shallow groundwater tables.