Influence and Mechanism of Fertilization and Irrigation of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Salinized Soils

Dandan Yu, Qingfeng Miao, Haibin Shi (), Zhuangzhuang Feng, Weiying Feng (), Zhen Li and José Manuel Gonçalves
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Dandan Yu: College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Qingfeng Miao: College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Haibin Shi: College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Zhuangzhuang Feng: College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
Weiying Feng: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Zhen Li: College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
José Manuel Gonçalves: Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Agriculture School, CERNAS—Research Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society, Bencanta, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-20

Abstract: The impact of fertilization and irrigation on heavy metal accumulation in saline–alkali soil and its underlying mechanisms are critical issues given the constraints that soil salinization places on agricultural development and crop quality. This study addressed these issues by investigating the effects of adjusting organic fertilizer types, proportions, and irrigation volumes on the physicochemical properties of lightly to moderately saline–alkali soils and analyzing the interaction mechanisms between microorganisms and heavy metals. The results indicate that the rational application of organic fertilizers combined with supplemental irrigation can mitigate soil salinity accumulation and water deficits, and reduce the soil pH, thereby enhancing soil oxidation, promoting nitrogen transformation and increasing nitrate–nitrogen levels. As the proportion of organic fertilizers increased, heavy metal residues, enrichment, and risk indices in the crop grains also increased. Compared to no irrigation, supplemental irrigation of 22 mm during the grain-filling stage increased soil surface Cd content, Zn content, and the potential ecological risk index (HRI) by 10.2%, 3.1%, and 8%, respectively, while simultaneously reducing the heavy metal content in grains by 12–13.5% and decreasing heavy metal enrichment. Principal component analysis revealed the primary factors influencing Cu and Zn residues and Cd accumulation in the crop grains. Soil salinity was significantly negatively correlated with soil pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, and ammonium nitrogen, whereas soil organic matter, total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, soil pH, oxidation–reduction potential, soluble nitrogen, and microbial biomass nitrogen were positively correlated. The accumulation and residues of Zn and Cu in the soil were more closely correlated with the soil properties compared to those of Cd. Specifically, Zn accumulation on the soil surface was primarily related to aliphatic organic functional groups, followed by soil salinity. Residual Zn in the crop grains was primarily associated with soil oxidation–reduction properties, followed by soil moisture content. The accumulation of Cu on the soil surface was mainly correlated with the microbial biomass carbon (MBC), whereas the residual Cu in the crop grains was primarily linked to the soil moisture content. These findings provide theoretical insights for improving saline–alkali soils and managing heavy metal contamination, with implications for sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.

Keywords: saline–alkali soil; fertilizer; irrigation volume amount; heavy metal; microorganism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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