Synergistic Regulatory Effects of In-situ vermicomposting-Biochar Integration on the Cucumber-Soil System Under Brackish Water Stress
Description
Research Hypothesis: Irrigation with slightly saline water (B1, B2) will induce salt stress, while the application of biochar (Bio) or in-situ earthworm inoculation (Ver), as well as their combined application, can alleviate this stress, improve soil physicochemical properties, and increase humic matter content, thereby influencing fruit yield and quality. Data Source: Field experiments were conducted using freshwater (F) and two types of slightly saline water (B1, B2) as water sources, combined with a total of 12 treatments—including no additive (C), Bio, Ver, and Ver+Bio—with three replicates each. Measurements were taken for soil at 0–30 cm depth (bulk density, pH, EC, total nitrogen, SOC, HA, FA, HM) and for fruit (biomass, yield, soluble solids, nitrate, organic acids, VC). Key findings: In the micro-saline water treatments alone (B1C, B2C), bulk density and EC were higher than in the freshwater control (FC), while SOC and humic matter components were slightly lower; after adding Bio or Ver—especially in combined treatments—bulk density decreased significantly, and SOC, HA, FA, and HM increased markedly, with fruit yield and VC also showing significant improvements. Ver had the most pronounced effect on VC, Bio contributed more to humification, and the combined treatments yielded the best overall results. Interpretation and Applications: Microorganisms and earthworms can effectively alleviate brackish water stress and improve soil carbon pools and crop quality. The data are suitable for analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA), providing a reference for soil management in brackish water irrigation areas.
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Institutions
- Ningxia UniversityNingxia, Yinchuan