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cje ›› 2010, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (07): 1326-1332.

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Spatial heterogeneity of soil moisture in apple orchards with different productivity level.

ZHANG Yi1,2, XIE Yong-sheng2, JIANG Qing-long2   

  1. 1Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin 150081, China;2The Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Northwest A &F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China
  • Online:2010-07-08 Published:2010-07-08

Abstract: By means of classical statistics and geo-statistics, a comparative study was made on the spatial distribution and variation patterns of soil moisture in the appleorchards with different productivity level on the Loess Plateau. Vertically, the soil moisture content was increased with the distance from root layer, and horizontally, it was increased with the distance from tree trunk. The soil moisture stability was increased with the distance from ground surface and from tree trunk. Significant differences were observed in the soil moisture content in apple orchards with different productivity level. With the decrease of orchard productivity, the soil moisture consumption by apple trees reduced, soil moisture stability improved, and the soil moisture spatial heterogeneity caused by spatial autocorrelation increased while that caused by random part decreased. Our results suggested that the excess consumption of soil water resource and its impact on environment could be reduced by adjusting the productivity level of apple orchard.