Synergistic Regulation of Soil Salinity and Ion Transport in Arid Agroecosystems: A Field Study on Drip Irrigation and Subsurface Drainage in Xinjiang, China

Abstract

The salinization of cultivated soil in arid zones is a core obstacle restricting the sustainable development of agriculture, particularly in regions like Xinjiang, China, where extreme aridity and intensive irrigation practices exacerbate salt accumulation through evaporation–crystallization cycles. Conventional drip irrigation, while temporarily mitigating surface salinity, often leads to secondary salinization due to elevated water tables and inefficient leaching. Recent studies highlight the potential of integrating drip irrigation with subsurface drainage systems to address these challenges, yet the synergistic mechanisms governing ion transport dynamics, hydrochemical thresholds, and their interaction with crop physiology remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the effects of spring irrigation during the non-fertile period, soil hydrochemistry variations, and salt ion dynamics across three arid agroecosystems in Xinjiang. By coupling drip irrigation with optimized subsurface drainage configurations (burial depths: 1.4–1.6 m; lateral spacing: 20–40 m), we reveal a layer-domain differentiation in salt migration, Cl− and Na+ were leached to 40–60 cm depths, while SO42− formed a “stagnant salt layer” at 20–40 cm due to soil colloid adsorption. Post-irrigation hydrochemical shifts included a 40% decline in conductivity, emphasizing the risk of adsorbed ion retention. Subsurface drainage systems suppressed capillary-driven salinity resurgence, maintaining salinity at 8–12 g·kg−1 in root zones during critical growth stages. This study establishes a “surface suppression–middle blocking–deep leaching” three-dimensional salinity control model, providing actionable insights for mitigating secondary salinization in arid agroecosystems.