Meta-analysis of Effects of Saline Irrigation on Crop Yield and Water Use Efficiency

doi:10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2026-0040

Abstract

Abstract:

Saltwater irrigation has received extensive attention as an important means to alleviate water scarcity, but the mechanism of its impact on crop yield and water use efficiency remains unclear. This study conducted a Meta-analysis by integrating 57 articles with a total of 727 data sets to systematically evaluate the effects of saltwater irrigation on crop yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) under different crop types, climatic conditions, soil properties, and irrigation levels. The results showed that saltwater irrigation significantly reduced crop yield, WUE, and IWUE. Among them, the decline was most obvious under high salinity irrigation conditions (EC_i>3.0 dS/m), reaching 24.0%, 5.5%, and 14.8% respectively. The influence of slightly saline water (EC_i≤3.0 dS/m) was relatively small, indicating that moderate salinity irrigation could alleviate the adverse effects on crops under certain conditions. Climate and soil factors had a significant regulatory effect on the irrigation effect of saline water. The negative impact was weaker in humid areas (annual precipitation >800 mm), while it was more pronounced in arid and semi-arid regions; loam and clay soils could better buffer salt stress than sandy soils. Appropriate irrigation volume (100-300 mm) could significantly increase crop yield and water use efficiency, and its effect was more prominent under saline water irrigation conditions. Based on the above results, this study suggested that when implementing saline water irrigation in arid and semi-arid regions, loam or clay conditions with an annual precipitation of more than 400 mm should be prioritized, and an appropriate irrigation volume of 100-300 mm should be configured to maximize the maintenance of crop yield and water use efficiency. This research provides a scientific basis for the optimized management of saline water irrigation in arid areas.

Key words: saltwater irrigation, crop yield, water use efficiency, irrigation water use efficiency

CLC Number:

S274

QIU Qiang, WANG Huanzhi, HUA Weina, LIU Xiaoying, GUO Jimin, ZHANG Xiaoli, ZHENG Hao, WU Guowei. Meta-analysis of Effects of Saline Irrigation on Crop Yield and Water Use Efficiency[J]. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin, 2026, 42(18): 46-54.

Figures/Tables 8

References 47

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分组	变量	分类
作物种类		玉米
		小麦
		棉花
		番茄
		花生
		辣椒
		其他
气候条件	MAP/mm	<200
		200~400
		400~800
		>800
	MAT/℃	<15
		15~20
		>20
土壤性质	质地	砂土（砂壤土、砂质粘壤土、壤质砂和砂）
		壤土（粉土、壤土、粉质壤土和砂质淤泥壤土）
		黏土（黏土、粘壤土、粉质粘壤土和粉质黏土）
	pH	<6
		6~8
		>8
	BD/(g/cm³)	<1.2
		1.2~1.4
		>1.4
	土壤有机质/ (g/kg)	≤15
	土壤有机质/ (g/kg)	>15
灌溉水平/ mm		<100
		100~300
		>300

分组	变量	分类
作物种类		玉米
		小麦
		棉花
		番茄
		花生
		辣椒
		其他
气候条件	MAP/mm	<200
		200~400
		400~800
		>800
	MAT/℃	<15
		15~20
		>20
土壤性质	质地	砂土（砂壤土、砂质粘壤土、壤质砂和砂）
		壤土（粉土、壤土、粉质壤土和砂质淤泥壤土）
		黏土（黏土、粘壤土、粉质粘壤土和粉质黏土）
	pH	<6
		6~8
		>8
	BD/(g/cm³)	<1.2
		1.2~1.4
		>1.4
	土壤有机质/ (g/kg)	≤15
	土壤有机质/ (g/kg)	>15
灌溉水平/ mm		<100
		100~300
		>300