Effect of a water-retaining agent on soil structure, photosynthesis, and water utilization

摘要

Water-retaining agents can improve the soil structure, preserve soil moisture, promote efficient utilization of soil water and fertilizer. and boost crop yields. In this study, the photosynthesis rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), water use efficiency (WUE) and water producing efficiency were examined at different gro.Arth stages of winter wheat that was grown using different treatments of a water-retaining agent, including 45 kg·hm-2, 52.5 kg·hm-2, and 60 kg·hm-2. The results indicate that the values for Pn, Tr and WUE of winter wheat were arranged in order from higher to lower for the booting, filling and jointing stages. In each growth stage, the Pn, Tr and WUE were higher with increased dosages of the water-retaining agent. The water producing efficiency was measured after the harvest; for winter wheat grown using the water-retaining agent it exceeded that of the crop without the agent by 5.4 kg·mm-1·hm-2, 5.5 kg·mm-1·hm-2 and 10.4 kg·mm-1·hm-2 for the three dosages, respectively. Meanwhile. water-retaining increased the content of soil organic matter. reduce soil bulk density, improve the stability of soil structure, reduce fractal dimension of soil aggregates, and improve the infiltration capacity.