CUG's researchers support the restoration and utilization of saline-alkali soil in Inner Mongolia

Farmland is the lifeline of grain production. The wide distribution of saline-alkali land on the Hetao Plain along the upper Yellow River - in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, has fundamentally restrained the comprehensive improvement of agricultural output, the adjustment of agricultural structures and the high-quality development of animal husbandry.

The Department of Natural Resources of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region launched a research project on the biological restoration and comprehensive utilization of saline-alkali soil on the Hetao Plain in 2018.

The research project brought together engineers with the Inner Mongolia Institute of Geological Survey, and professors, doctoral and graduate students from the School of Environmental Sciences at the China University of Geosciences (CUG).

They built an experimental center with an area of about 30 mu (2 hectares) in Hanggin Rear Banner of Bayan Nur in August 2018, to integrate outdoor surveys, monitoring and experiments with simulated research in the laboratory and to make technological breakthroughs in the restoration and improvement of saline-alkali soil on the Hetao Plain.

With the application of new technologies, they have achieved results in the physical and biological improvement of saline-alkali soil.

Meanwhile, their research findings have passed through acceptance and received high acclaim from a group of experts organized by the Department of Natural Resources of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Their research results will provide technological support to the scientific development and utilization of saline-alkali soil on the Hetao Plain, and will be of great importance to the prevention and treatment of ecological degradation in the agricultural sector and in the improvement of the quality and output of agricultural produce on the Hetao Plain.

A slice of farmland used to conduct the biological restoration and comprehensive development of saline-alkali soil on the Hetao Plain in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Researchers conduct an outdoor experiment on the physical improvement of saline-alkali soil on the Hetao Plain in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]