Effects of cropping years on soil salinity and pH value in fields under drip irrigation condition

In order to investigate the sustainability of saline-alkali soil improvement with drip irrigation, the authors carried out a field experiment combined with the method of space-time conversion. The research studied the changes of soil salinity and pH value in the first, second, third and fourth year after waxy corn planting in saline-alkali soil using drip irrigation technology. Results showed that soil salt was leached at different extents of the lands with different reclaimed years. The decreasing rate was in the range from 24.7% to 43.9%, and that was particularly evident in the new reclaimed lands. At the same time soil salinity of the 0-150 cm soil profile had a decreasing trend with the increase of reclaimed years. The soil salinity of 0-60 cm reduced more quickly, however, that of 60-150 cm decreased relatively slowly. The pH value of 0-150 cm soil profile had a deceasing trend with the increase of reclaimed years as well. In a word, after one year to four years using drip irrigation technology, soil salinity and pH value are decreased.