Synergistic Effects of Organic Materials and Clay on Maize Yield and Water Use Efficiency in Sandy Soil

Bibliographic Data

ID21649059
AuthorsXi Wang (0000-0002-2434-2326, State Key Laboratory of Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Control, the Research Center of Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Environment Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education Yangling Shaanxi China), Gu Zhou (State Key Laboratory of Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Control, the Research Center of Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Environment Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education Yangling Shaanxi China), Jia Wang (0000-0003-1916-5086, College of Soil and Water Conservation Science and Engineering Northwest A&F University Yangling Shaanxi China), Wang Jia (0000-0003-1140-3908), Yongquan Gao (College of Soil and Water Conservation Science and Engineering Northwest A&F University Yangling Shaanxi China), Jun Fan (0000-0001-8227-9671, State Key Laboratory of Soil and Water Conservation and Desertification Control, the Research Center of Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Environment Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Education Yangling Shaanxi China, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume37
Issue4
Pages1395-1409
Publication date2026-02-28
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLand Degradation and Development (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1085-3278 • E-ISSN: 1099-145X
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ldr.70180
OpenAlexW4414356111
LanguageEN
References cited57

Most physicochemical properties of soil organic matter (SOM) enhancement are related to soil structure. In poorly structured sandy soil, modifying the mechanical composition may be a prerequisite for effective SOM management and crop yield improvement. This study investigated the effects of organic materials and introduced clay (Quaternary red clay soil with 38.5% clay) on soil water dynamics, maize growth, root morphology, and water use efficiency (WUE) in a sandy field soil (4.3% clay). The treatments included: control (CK), biochar addition (BC), lignite organic fertilizer addition (LG), and biochar and lignite organic fertilizer combined with introduced clay (BCR, LGR). Compared with CK, organic amendments alone (BC, LG) increased the silt + clay content (SC) and SOM content by 4.3%–5.8% and 5.3–9.2 g kg −1 in the 0–20 cm soil layer ( p −1 , p −1 mm −1 , p −1 , and GY and WUE increased by 2385–5016 kg ha −1 and 4.1–9.5 kg ha −1 mm −1 . Additionally, volumetric water content (VWC) was significantly linearly correlated with SC and SOM content ( p

Biochar · Fertilizer · Organic matter · Silt · Soil conditioner · Soil organic matter · Soil water · Water content · Agriculture, Soil, Plant Science · Crop Yield and Soil Fertility · Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics

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