Abstract:
Objective The construction of ecological civilization in the arid and semi-arid regions of western China is a major national strategy, and fully utilizing limited water resources for ecological restoration is an important technical means. Industrial water retaining agents are widely used to enhance soil water retention capacity and improve plant growth environments, but there are differences in the adaptability of different plants to water retaining agents.
Methods In order to study the suitability of adding water retaining agents to loess for plant growth, the water holding curves of pure water retaining agents, pure loess, and modified loess with water retaining agents were measured using filter paper method; The water holding curve of the cow tendon root system was tested using a pressure plate apparatus.
Results Comparative analysis of various curves shows that loess improved with water retaining agents is only suitable for plants with low wilting values and high suction during wilting, such as drought tolerant plants like sea-buckthorn and caragana microphylla; For plants with high wilting values and low suction during wilting, such as water loving plants like eleusine indica and bermuda grass, adding water retaining agents to loess may absorb water from the plant roots, which is not conducive to plant growth.
Conclusion Therefore, adding water retaining agents to loess can effectively improve the growth environment of drought tolerant plants; But it may have adverse effects on the growth of water loving plants.The research results will provide scientific basis for ecological restoration in loess areas.