Effects of Irrigation with Brackish Water before Sowing on Growth and Yield in Cotton

Abstract：Effects of sowing after rain with no irrigation（HD）,irrigation before sowing with fresh water（S1）,and brackish water whose saline salinity was respectively 2.2 g/L（S2.2） and 5 g/L（S5） on growth and yield of cotton were studied by plot comparative trial.Results showed that soil water content in HD treatment in 0 to 100 cm depth in soil layer in cotton growth period was significantly lower than three treatments of irrigation before sowing.The soil salt content in S5 treatment in 0 to 40 cm depth in soil layer was the highest,while salt rejection rate was 48.33% after rain-leaching.There was no significant difference in growth indexes involved plant height,stem diameter,leaf area,etc.and yields of cotton in S2.2 and S1.The S5 treatment had a significant effect on the emergence rate of cotton,but it did not affect on the yield of cotton significantly.The growing process in HD was 7 to 9 d later than S1,which did has adverse effects on growth traits and yield components of cotton.Compared with S1,S2.2 and S5 treatments,seed cotton yield in the HD treatment was decreased significantly by 15.50%,15.42% and 15.83%,respectively.Thereby,cotton cropping with brackish water mentioned above had more advantages over HD.This study could provide Hebei lowland plain with guidance in efficient use of shallow brackish water.