Accelerating soil water recovery in alfalfa-converted cropland: Critical roles of fallow season mulch, crop selection, and precipitation

IF 5.9 1区 农林科学 Q1 AGRONOMY
Xu-Long Zhang , Ge Li , Yang-Yang Zhao , Bai-Rui Han , Wen-Feng Cong , Fusuo Zhang , Feng-Min Li
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Abstract

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) crops rotation has been proposed as a sustainable strategy for dryland farming. However, limited understanding of the spatio-temporal dynamics of deep soil water recovery following alfalfa conversion constrains broader adoption of this practice. This study investigates soil water recovery in alfalfa-converted cropland (AC) compared to conventional cropland (CC) under a plastic-mulched maize-potato rotation over 12 years (2010–2021). We further examined variations in soil water recharge across crop types (maize vs. potato) and seasons (growing vs. fallow). At alfalfa conversion, the water deficit (DS) in the 0–500 cm profile was −0.37 (the relative change in soil water content in AC compared to CC). Following conversion, DS increased exponentially with conversion duration. Soil water in the upper 60 cm recovered within 2 years, while deeper layers (0–500 cm) recovered after 12 years. Most importantly, rapid recovery in the upper 60 cm enabled AC to achieve equivalent evapotranspiration and crop water productivity compared to CC. Soil water recharge in the 0–500 cm profile was similar during growing and fallow seasons, demonstrating the importance of precipitation storage under plastic mulch during fallow periods despite much lower precipitation. Potato cropping-years resulted in significantly greater soil water recharge than maize years, suggesting that increasing potato frequency in crop rotations could further accelerate soil water recovery. Soil water recharge showed a strong linear relationship with precipitation. A minimum annual precipitation threshold of 322 mm was identified for positive recharge, with fallow season precipitation contributing disproportionately to deep-layer replenishment. Based on these findings, we recommend implementing alfalfa rotation in regions with > 322 mm annual precipitation, prioritizing potato in rotations, and optimizing water-saving management during fallow periods to maximize water capture. These findings advance strategies for reconciling agricultural productivity with hydrological sustainability in water-limited ecosystems.
加速紫花苜蓿草地土壤水分恢复:休耕期覆盖、作物选择和降水的关键作用
苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)轮作已被提出作为旱地农业的可持续发展策略。然而,对苜蓿转化后深层土壤水分恢复的时空动态认识有限,限制了这种做法的广泛采用。本研究调查了12年(2010-2021)地膜玉米-马铃薯轮作下苜蓿转化农田(AC)与常规农田(CC)的土壤水分恢复情况。我们进一步研究了不同作物类型(玉米与马铃薯)和季节(种植与休耕)土壤水分补给的变化。苜蓿转育时,0 ~ 500 cm剖面的水分亏缺(DS)为- 0.37 (AC土壤含水量相对于CC土壤含水量的相对变化)。转换后,DS随转换时间呈指数增长。表层60 cm土壤水分在2年内恢复,深层(0 ~ 500 cm)土壤水分在12年后恢复。最重要的是,与CC相比,上部60 cm的快速恢复使AC实现了相当的蒸散和作物水分生产力。0-500 cm的土壤水分补给在生长季节和休耕季节相似,这表明尽管降水少得多,但在休耕期间,塑料覆盖下的降水储存的重要性。马铃薯种植年土壤水分补给量显著高于玉米种植年,表明增加马铃薯轮作频次可进一步加速土壤水分恢复。土壤水分补给与降水呈较强的线性关系。正补给的最小年降水阈值为322 mm,休耕季节降水对深层补给的贡献不成比例。基于这些发现,我们建议在年降水量>; 322 mm的地区实行苜蓿轮作,优先轮作马铃薯,并在休耕期优化节水管理,以最大限度地提高水捕获。这些发现促进了在水资源有限的生态系统中协调农业生产力与水文可持续性的战略。
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来源期刊
Agricultural Water Management
Agricultural Water Management 农林科学-农艺学
CiteScore
12.10
自引率
14.90%
发文量
648
审稿时长
4.9 months
期刊介绍: Agricultural Water Management publishes papers of international significance relating to the science, economics, and policy of agricultural water management. In all cases, manuscripts must address implications and provide insight regarding agricultural water management.
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