EFFECT OF AERATED IRRIGATION ON SOIL MICROENVIRONMENT AND COTTON GROWTH PROMOTION

Abstract

Clay soil results in higher crop yield and quality than sandy soil. However, irrigation causes clay soil to slump easily, increasing compactness and decreasing soil oxygen content. This study investigated the effects of dry seeding and wet emergence on the soil microenvironment and cotton growth promotion in Xinjiang silt loam fields. The experimental design included three aerated and three non-aerated treatments. The results showed that aerated irrigation decreased dry density of the 0–20 cm soil layer to different degrees, the field capacity increased