Simulation of Saline Water Irrigation for Seed Maize in Arid Northwest China Based on SWAP Model

Chengfu Yuan, Shaoyuan Feng, Zailin Huo and Quanyi Ji
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Chengfu Yuan: College of Hydraulic, Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Shaoyuan Feng: College of Hydraulic, Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Zailin Huo: Centre for Agricultural Water Research in China, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
Quanyi Ji: College of Hydraulic, Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 16, 1-14

Abstract: Water resource shortages restrict the economic and societal development of China’s arid northwest. Drawing on groundwater resources for irrigation, field experiments growing seed maize ( Zea mays L.) were conducted in 2013 and 2014 in the region’s Shiyang River Basin. The Soil–Water–Atmosphere–Plant (SWAP) model simulated soil water content, salinity, and water–salt transport, along with seed maize yield, in close agreement with measured values after calibration and validation. The model could accordingly serve to simulate different saline water irrigation scenarios for maize production in the study area. Waters with a salinity exceeding 6.0 mg/cm 3 were not suitable for irrigation, whereas those between 3.0 and 5.0 mg/cm 3 could be acceptable over a short period of time. Brackish water (0.71–2.0 mg/cm 3 ) could be used with few restrictions. Long-term (five years) simulation of irrigation with saline water (3.0–5.0 mg/cm 3 ) showed soil salinity to increase by over 9.5 mg/cm 3 compared to initial levels, while seed maize yield declined by 25.0% compared with irrigation with brackish water (0.71 mg/cm 3 ). An irrigation water salinity of 3.0–5.0 mg/cm 3 was, therefore, not suitable for long-term irrigation in the study area. This study addressed significance issues related to saline water irrigation and serves as a guide for future agricultural production practices.

Keywords: Shiyang River Basin; saline water irrigation; SWAP model; soil water–salt transport; seed maize (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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