Rudong offers replicable solutions for saline alkali land management
The 144-hectare saline alkali farmland improvement and utilization project in Rudong, Nantong, Jiangsu province, has become a model for the management of coastal saline alkali land.
By implementing a technological model that integrates salt reduction and fertility betterment, selection of salt tolerant varieties, and intelligent control, the original wasteland has become a land of wealth.
The one-year project was launched in August 2024. In response to the core issues created by high salinity, low fertility, and poor structure in coastal saline alkali farmland, multiple measures related to agronomy, biology, and intelligent control have been taken to systematically promote the construction.
The 144-hectare saline alkali farmland regains vitality. [Photo/Nantong Daily]
The project relies on the existing drainage and irrigation infrastructure in coastal reclamation areas, using scientific irrigation and drainage as the core means of salt reduction.
The intelligent monitoring and control center built for the project displays real-time key monitoring data in the project area and issues timely warning information. Relying on an intelligent irrigation and drainage system, the project has established a linkage mechanism and scheduling model for irrigation and drainage, achieving long-term salt control through rational allocation of water sources and precise irrigation.
In addition to reducing salt, the project has also strived to steadily improve the quality of arable land and achieve sustainable development.
The project invested nearly 60 percent of the funds to purchase low salt organic fertilizer. Through the use of layered application and other methods, the soil aggregate structure was improved, surface water volatilization was reduced, salt reduction was strengthened, and the fertility of the plow layer was gradually increased.
In terms of variety selection, the project prioritizes the use of salt tolerant varieties that are suitable for coastal saline alkali farmland, taking into account both yield and salt tolerance.
