In this paper

five different contents of Bacillus subtilis (0

1

3

5

7 g/kg) were setted

aimed to study the effect of B. subtilis on evaporation of soil surface and water and salt distribution in saline-alkali soil. The results showed that: (1) With the application of B. subtilis

the cumulative evaporation and evaporation rate in saline-alkali soil decreased obviously

comparing to that in control soil columns

especially after the initial 2 days. The cumulative evaporation and evaporation rate of soil with different B. subtilis content (0

1

3

5

7 g/kg) was smaller than that without B. subtilis application

and reached smallest when B. subtilis content was 3 g/kg. In the 41st day after evaporation

the cumulative evaporation of treatments with 1

3

5 and 7 g/kg B. subtilis were decreased by 16.63%

21.39%

11.26% and 5.96% compared with that in 0 g/kg

and the variations between the treatments were significant (P＜0.05). (2) Both Black and Rose model could fit soil evaporation process well with different B. subtilis contents. For the Black evaporation model

with the increase of B. subtilis contents

evaporation parameter B firstly decreased and then increased compared with the control treatment (P＜0.05). For the Rose evaporation model

with the increase of B. subtilis contents

stable evaporation parameters C and moisture diffusion parameter D firstly decreased and then increased

which were obviously less than the treatment received 0 g/kg B. subtilis (P＜0.05). When the B. subtilis was 3 g/kg

the minimum values of C and D were obtained

which further confirmed that B. subtilis could increase soil water holding capacity. When the B. subtilis content were 1

3

5 and 7 g/kg

the water contents were greater than that in the control. (3) At the depth of 6 cm

the water content in the treatments with B. subtilis of 1

3

5 and 7 g/kg increased by 28.24%

37.40%

20.00%

6.87% respectively

compared with that in the control. (4) Soil salt contents were also significantly decreased with the application of B. subtilis. The salt content in the treatments with B. subtilis of 1

3

5 and 7 g/kg decreased by 32.26%

46.89%

26.34%

14.65% respectively

compared to that in the control. (5) After applying B. subtilis

the soil residual water content θr

saturated water content θs and coefficient associated with intake value α were all increased and shape coefficient n was decreased in van Genuchten equation. In summary

application of 3 g/kg B. subtilis could inhibit salt and improve soil water holding capacity in saline-alkali.