Magnetically treated water drip irrigation combined with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) application: A regulating strategy for enhancing the jujube yield and quality in southern Xinjiang of China

Abstract

Developing effective regulation strategies for improving the efficiency of irrigation water and fertilizers, and preventing further expansion of desertification in southern Xinjiang, China, is crucial. Magnetically treated water (MTW) has been shown to have a positive effect on plant growth. The carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) has been widely used as an efficient soil amendment to improve soil aggregation and hydraulic properties. This study aimed to explore the optimal mode of combining MTW drip irrigation and CMC application for high-quality jujube production. Conventional freshwater irrigation was set up in both 2021 and 2022 (control group, CK). CMC treatments under MTW drip irrigation included C0 (0), C150 (150 kg/ha), C250 (250 kg/ha), C350 (350 kg/ha), and C450 (450 kg/ha) in 2021, and C0 (0), C150 (150 kg/ha), C300 (300 kg/ha), C450 (450 kg/ha), and C600 (600 kg/ha) in 2022. The results showed that CMC significantly increased soil porosity, water-holding capacity, and decreased soil bulk density and soil saturated hydraulic conductivity. CMC contributed 2.88 % to 27.96 % of large aggregates (>0.25 mm), significantly improving soil aggregate stability. Water and fertilizer (N, P, K) productivity increased by 4.5 % to 11.0 % and 1.9 % to 11.3 %, respectively. Jujube yield increased by 2.75 % to 15.98 %, and MTW increased jujube yield by 3.10 % compared to the CK. The recommended optimal CMC application rate was approximately 430 kg/ha. This mode provides a reliable theoretical reference for jujube industry development and soil desertification improvement in southern Xinjiang, China.