Effect of stratified soil mixed with sand on photosynthesis and transpiration of alfalfa
ZHANG Yongxing
YUAN Riping
GAN Yongde
ZHEGN Liping
WANG Shangtao
LIU Huan
JIA Yangwen
NIU Cunwen
Abstract：[Objective]Stratifying soil with sand is an engineering technique commonly used to improve the drainage and aeration of fine-textured soils.This study investigates its effects on the growth,transpiration,and photosynthesis of alfalfa.[Method]A field experiment was conducted to compare intact soil(FUS)and soil treated with a sand-stratification technique(ALS).In each treatment,physiological traits,photosynthetic traits,transpiration,and water consumption of alfalfa were measured.The hydrothermal balance of each soil type was analyzed using the soil-heat-water model.[Result]Under identical conditions,ALS significantly influenced the physiological and ecological traits of alfalfa.Specifically,compared to FUS,ALS increased average plant height by 8.5%,stem diameter by 10.4%,stem-to-leaf ratio by 18.2%,and dry mass by 7.1%.Under natural conditions,ALS increased the daily average net photosynthetic rate by 8.69%to 109.39%,with maximum increases ranging from 9.27%to 64.23%.Moreover,ALS significantly enhanced transpiration and stomatal conductance compared to FUS.The total evapotranspiration of alfalfa was 576.85 mm under FUS and 381.45 mm under ALS.Additionally,ALS reduced soil-surface evaporation by 51.22%during the peak water-demand period of the growing season.[Conclusion]Stratifying fine-textured soil with sand improved water infiltration,reduced soil surface evaporation,and enhanced the water use efficiency of alfalfa,thereby increasing its yield.
Keywords：arid areaalfalfaartificially layered soilphotosynthetic characteristicstranspiration characteristics
Publication Date：2025-04-30
Online Publishing Date：2026-09-12(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：10( 47-56 )