Mixed Fertilizer can Improve Fruit Yield and Quality of Field-Grown Tomatoes Irrigated with Saline Water

Growing tomatoes using saline water and in soils with poor nutrient contents is challenging. The objectives of this work were to: (i) examine the yield and quality of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) irrigated with different saline water [electrical conductivity (ECi) = 3, 6 and 9 dS m^?1]; and (ii) study the effect of fertilizer: inorganic, organic, and a mixed of both on tomatoes grown under saline conditions. Fruit weight and quality attributes including size, color, soluble solids, acidity, EC, and pH were measured. Growing tomatoes under 3 and 6 dS m^?1 produced the highest yield, whereas irrigating with 9 dS m^?1 reduced yield. The mixed fertilizer slightly ameliorated the yield reduction caused by salinity. Using organic fertilizer alone produced the lowest fruit yield. Fruit quality was more affected by salinity than fertilizer. The best growing conditions for tomatoes were in plots irrigated with 6 dS m^?1 water under mixed fertilizer treatment.     

TREATED EFFLUENT AND SALINE WATER IRRIGATION INFLUENCES SOIL PROPERTIES,YIELD, WATER PRODUCTIVITY AND SODIUM CONTENT OF SNOW PEAS AND CELERY

To determine the effects of irrigation water quality, plants were irrigated with normal potable water [0.25 dS m^?1 electrical conductivity (EC), 25 mg L^?1 sodium (Na), 55 mg L^?1 chloride (Cl)], treated effluent (0.94 dS m^?1 EC, 122 mg L^?1 Na, 143 mg L^?1 Cl) and saline water with low salinity (1.24 dS m^?1 EC, 144 mg L^?1 Na and 358 mg L^?1 Cl) and high salinity (2.19 dS m^?1 EC, 264 mg L ^?1Na and 662 mg L^?1 Cl) for snow peas, and high salinity (3.07 dS m^?1 EC, 383 mg L^?1 Na and 965 mg L^?1 Cl) and very high salinity (5.83 dS m^?1 EC, 741 mg L^?1 Na and 1876 mg L^?1 Cl) for celery. The greater salts build up in the soil and ion toxicity (Cl and Na) with saline water irrigation contributed to significantly greater reduction in root and shoot biomass, water use, yield and water productivity (yield kg kL^?1 of water used) of snow peas and celery compared with treated effluent and potable water irrigation. There was 8%, 56% and 74% reduction in celery yield respectively with treated effluent, high salinity and very high salinity saline water irrigation compared with potable water irrigation. The Na concentration in snow peas shoots increased by 54%, 234% and 501% with treated effluent, low and high salinity saline water irrigation. Similarly, the increases in Na concentration in celery shoots were 19%, 35% and 82%. The treated effluent irrigation also resulted in a significant increase in soil EC, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content compared with potable water irrigation. The heavy metals besides salts build up appears to have contributed to yield reductions with treated effluent irrigation. The study reveals strong implications for the use of saline water and treated effluent for irrigation of snow peas and celery. The salt build up within the root zone and soil environment would be critical in the long-run with the use of saline water and treated effluent for irrigation of crops. To minimize the salinity level in rhizosphere, an alternate irrigation of potable water with treated effluent or low salinity level water may be better option.     

Amelioration of calcareous saline sodic soils through phytoremediation and chemical strategies

Abstract. The worldwide occurrence of saline sodic and sodic soils on more than half a billion hectares warrants attention for their efficient, inexpensive and environmentally acceptable management. These soils can be ameliorated by providing a source of calcium (Ca²⁺) to replace excess sodium (Na⁺) from the cation exchange sites. Although chemical amendments have long been used to ameliorate such soils, the chemical process has become costly during the last two decades in several developing countries. As a low‐cost and environmentally acceptable strategy, the cultivation of certain salt tolerant forage species on calcareous sodic and saline sodic soils, i.e. phytoremediation, has gained interest among scientists and farmers in recent years. In a field study conducted at three calcareous saline sodic sites (pH_s=8.1–8.8, EC_e=7.8–12.5 dS m^–1, SAR=30.6–76.1) in the Indus Plains of Pakistan, we compared chemical and phytoremediation methods. There were four treatments; two involved plants: Kallar grass (Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth), and sesbania (Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) W. Wight). The other two treatments were uncropped: soil application of gypsum and an untreated control. All treatments were irrigated with canal water (EC=0.22–0.28 dS m^–1). The plant species were grown for one season (5–6 months). Sesbania produced more forage yield (34 t ha^–1) than Kallar grass (23 t ha^–1). Phytoremediation and chemical treatments resulted in similar decreases in soil salinity and sodicity, indicating that phytoremediation may replace or supplement the more costly chemical approach. The soil amelioration potential of sesbania was similar to that of the Kallar grass, which suggests that moderately saline sodic calcareous soils can be improved by growing a forage legume with market value.     

Gas exchange,water relations,and Ion concentrations of salt‐stressed tomato and melon plants

Abstract

Tomato and melon plants were grown in a greenhouse and irrigated with nutrient solution having an EC of 2 dS m^?1 (control treatment) and 4, 6, and 8 dS m^?1, produced by adding NaCl to the control nutrient solution. After 84 days, leaf water relations, gas exchange parameters, and ion concentrations, as well as plant growth, were measured. Melon plants showed a greater reduction in shoot weight and leaf area than tomato at the two highest salinity levels used (6 and 8 dS m^?1). Net photosynthesis (Pn) in melon plants tended to be lower than in tomato, for all saline treatments tested. Pn was reduced by 32% in melon plants grown in nutrient solution having an EC of 4 dS m^?1, relative to control plants, and no further decline occurred at higher EC levels. In tomato plants, the Pn decline occurred at EC of 6 dS m^?1, and no further reduction was detected at EC of 8 dS m^?1. The significant reductions in Pn corresponded to similar leaf Cl^? concentrations (around 409 mmol kg^?1 dry weight) in both plant species. Net Pn and stomatal conductance were linearly correlated in both tomato and melon plants, Pn being more sensitive to changes in stomatal conductance (g_s) in melon than in tomato leaves. The decline in the growth parameters caused by salinity in melon and tomato plants was influenced by other factors in addition to reduction in Pn rates. Melon leaves accumulated larger amounts of Cl^? than tomato, which caused a greater reduction in growth and a reduction in Pn at lower salinity levels than in tomato plants. These facts indicate that tomato is more salt‐tolerant than melon.     

Performance of some under‐explored crops under saline irrigation in a semiarid climate in Northwest India

Growing salt‐tolerant under‐explored crops utilizing saline ground water can provide for an economic use of abandoned semiarid lands. Field trials were conducted between 1999 and 2003 on a calcareous soil in a semiarid region of northwest India. Woody perennials were planted at the sill of furrows and irrigated with water of high salinity (EC 10–28 dS m⁻¹), low salinity (EC 5–9 dS m⁻¹) and alternately with these two waters. Woody species included Azadirachta indica, Cordia rothii, Salvadora persica, Jatropha curcas, J. gossipifolia, Ricinus communis, Catharanthus roseus, Adhatoda vasica and Aloe barbadensis. Most of these could be grown successfully but S. persica—a highly salt‐tolerant halophyte—though it produced huge biomass, could not yield mature fruit due to frost injury. The salinity build up in the soil was greater during low‐rainfall years, but a good rainfall year, e.g. 714 mm in 2001, helped to leach out the accumulated salts. The uptake of Na⁺ in plants was greater when irrigated with water of high salinity, while K⁺ accumulation was greater with water of low salinity. Na⁺ accumulation was higher in roots as compared to other parts except in Jatropha and Salvadora, while K⁺ accumulation was greater in leaves. There was a negative correlation between Na⁺ and K⁺ accumulation and a positive correlation between Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. Thus, saline water (ECiw 12 dS m⁻¹) can successfully be used for growing several under‐explored crops of high economic value. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of Phosphorus in Alleviation of Adverse Impacts of Salinity on Wheat Grown on Different Soils

Fertilization management is an important technique to alleviate the adverse effects of salinity stress on plants. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative role of inorganic phosphorus (P) and organic P sources on wheat grown under salt stress in three soil types deficient in available P. Wheat (Triticum asetivum L. cv. Shakha 93) was grown on alluvial, sandy, and calcareous soils under salinity levels of 4, 8, and 12 dS m^?1 of saturated paste extract (EC_e) and supplied with constant rate of 30 mg P₂O₅ kg soil^?1 as superphosphate (SP), cattle manure (CM), and 1:1 mixture of SP and CM. The results revealed that plants grown on the sandy soil were more susceptible to the adverse effects of salinity compared with those planted on the alluvial one, especially at zero P. Plants grown on the calcareous soil were moderately affected. Varying soil type caused significant differences in the aboveground biomass and uptake of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), P, and zinc (Zn). It was obvious that P ameliorated wheat growth under salt stress, and this role was greater under moderate and high salinity. The increases in N, P, K, and Zn uptake appeared driven by P application were more conspicuous in the sandy and calcareous soils. Results also indicated that combined application of inorganic and organic P sources surpassed both when applied solely under all soil types and salinity levels.     

Efficiency of Potassium Fertilization and Salicylic Acid on Yield and Nutrient Accumulation of Sugar Beet Grown on Saline Soil

Rising soil salinity has been a major problem in the soils of Egypt in recent decades. Potassium fertilization and salicylic acid (SA) play an important role in promoting plants to tolerate salt stress and increased the yield of sugar beet crop. A field experiment on sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) grown on saline soil was carried out during 2014 growing season in Port Said Governorate, Egypt, to study the effect of potassium fertilization of the soil at applications of 0, 100, 150, and 200 kg potassium (K) ha^?1 and foliar spray of SA by solution of 1000 mg L^?1, twice (1200 L ha^?1 each time) on yield and nutrient uptake. Application of 200 kg K ha^?1 in combination with salicylic foliar spray gave the highest root length, root diameter, shoot and root yield, sucrose, juice purity percentage, gross sugar yield, and white possible extractable sugar, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content, and uptake of sugar beet. The highest increase in sucrose (20%) as well as white possible extractable sugar (184%) was obtained by 200 kg K ha^?1 in combination with salicylic foliar spray compared with untreated soil with potassium fertilization and without salicylic foliar spray.     

Does Biochar Improve Establishment of Tree Seedlings in Saline Sodic Soils?

Reforestation of saline sodic soil is increasingly undertaken as a means of reclaiming otherwise unproductive agricultural land. Currently, restoration of degraded land is limited to species with high tolerances of salinity. Biochar application has the potential to improve physical, biological and chemical properties of these soils to allow establishment of a wider range of plants. In a glasshouse trial, we applied biochar made from Acacia pycnantha (5 Mg ha⁻¹) or no biochar to either a low (EC_e 4·75 dS m⁻¹, ESP 6·9), a moderate (EC_e 27·6 dS m⁻¹, ESP 29·3) or a high (EC_e 49·4 dS m⁻¹, ESP 45·1) saline sodic soil. The regional common reforestation species Eucalyptus viminalis and Acacia mearnsii were planted as tubestock in to the soils. Early establishment indicators, including growth, plant condition and nutrition, were assessed at the end of a simulated growing season, 108 days after biochar application. Application of biochar increased height, and decreased root : shoot and the concentration of Mn, N and S in plants of E. viminalis when grown in the highly saline sodic soil. Biochar application increased the concentration of B in leaves of E. viminalis and increased the concentration of P, K and S in leaves of A. mearnsii when grown in the low saline sodic soil. The results confirm that there is potential for biochar to assist in reforestation of saline sodic soils. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Response of soil microbial community and diversity to increasing water salinity and nitrogen fertilization rate in an arid soil

The scarcity of fresh water has forced farmers to use saline water (SW) for irrigation. It is important to understand the response of the soil microbial community and diversity to saline irrigation water. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of irrigation water salinity and nitrogen fertilization rates on soil physicochemical properties, microbial activity, microbial biomass, and microbial functional diversity. The field experiment consisted of a factorial design with three levels of irrigation water salinity (electrical conductivities (ECs) of 0.35, 4.61 or 8.04?dS?m^?1) and two nitrogen rates (0 and 360?kg?N?ha^?1). The results showed that the 4.61 and 8.04?dS?m^?1 treatments both reduced soil microbial biomass C (MBC), microbial biomass N (MBN), basal respiration, total phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA), bacterial PLFA, fungal PLFA, and fungal:bacterial ratios. In contrast, the SW treatments increased the MBC:MBN ratio. Nitrogen fertilization increased soil MBC, MBN, basal respiration, total PLFA, bacterial PLFA, and gram-negative bacterial PLFA. In contrast, N fertilization decreased gram-positive bacterial PLFA, fungal PLFA, and fungal:bacterial ratios. Average well color development, Richness, and Shannon's Index were always lowest in the 8.04?dS?m^?1 treatment. Carbon utilization patterns in the 8.04?dS?m^?1 treatment were different from those in the 0.35?dS?m^?1 treatment. In conclusion, five years of irrigation with brackish or SW reduced the soil microbial biomass, activity, and functional diversity, which may cause the deterioration of soil quality. Thus, the high-salinity water (EC?>?4.61?dS?m^?1) is not appropriate as a single irrigation water resource. Proper N fertilizer input may overcome some of the negative effects of salinity on soil microbial.     

在盐水浇灌条件下堆肥对土壤性质、小麦生长以及作物营养的影响

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to test and compare the suitability of saline compost and saline irrigation water for nutrient status amendment of a slightly productive sandy clay loam soil,to study the macronutrient utilization and dry matter production of wheat(Triticum aestivum c.v.Gemmiza 7) grown in a modified soil environment and to determine the effects of compost and saline irrigation water on soil productivity.The sandy clay loam soil was treated with compost of five rates(0,24,36,48,and 60 m 3 ha-1,equivalent to 0,3,4.5,and 6 g kg-1 soil,respectively) and irrigation water of four salinity levels(0.50(tap water),4.9,6.3,and 8.7 dS m-1).The results indicated that at harvest,the electrical conductivity(EC) of the soil was significantly(P < 0.05) changed by the compost application as compared to the control.In general,the soil salinity significantly increased with increasing application rates of compost.Soluble salts,K,Cl,HCO 3,Na,Ca,and Mg,were significantly increased by the compost treatment.Soil sodium adsorption ratio(SAR) was significantly affected by the salinity levels of the irrigation water,and showed a slight response to the compost application.The soil organic carbon content was also significantly(P < 0.05) affected by application of compost,with a maximum value of 31.03 g kg-1 recorded at the compost rate of 60 m 3 ha-1 and the irrigation water salinity level of 8.7 dS m-1 and a minimum value of 12.05 g kg 1 observed in the control.The compost application produced remarkable increases in wheat shoot dry matter production.The maximum dry matter production(75.11 g pot-1) occurred with 60 m 3 ha-1 compost and normal irrigation water,with a minimum of 19.83 g pot-1 with no addition of compost and irrigation water at a salinity level of 8.70 dS m-1.Significant increases in wheat shoot contents of K,N,P,Na,and Cl were observed with addition of compost.The relatively high shoot N values may be attributed to increases in N availability in the tested soil caused by the compost application.Similarly,significant increases in the shoot contents of Na and Cl may be ascribed to the increase in soil soluble K and Cl.The increases in shoot P,N,and K contributed to the growth stimulation since P supplied by the compost was probably responsible in saline and alkaline soils where P solubility was very low.     

Sodic Soil Reclamation Potential of Gypsum and Biocharadditions: Influence on Physicochemical Properties and Soil Respiration

Reclamation of sodic soils is proving increasingly vital as greater land area becomes salt-affected in the northern Great Plains of the United States. Flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) can be an agriculturally important resource for increasing land productivity through the amelioration of sodic soils. Biochar is also considered as an aid in reclaiming degraded soils. In this incubation study, two rates of FGDG (33.6 Mg ha^?1 and 66.2 Mg ha^?1), two rates of biochar made from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) pulp (16.8 Mg ha^?1), and one rate of FGDG combined with one rate of biochar (33.6 Mg ha^?1 ea.) were applied to a sodic soil. Soil physicochemical properties, including cationic exchange, pH, electrical conductivity (EC_e), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR_e), total organic carbon (TOC), water retention, and soil respiration rate, were assessed during and at the end of the incubation period. Addition of FGDG to sodic soil increased EC_e from 3.5 to 8.4 dS m^?1 and decreased SAR_e from 16 to 9. Biochar addition to sodic soil increased TOC from 62.2 to 99.5 μg g^?1 and increased soil respiration rate (mg C kg^?1 soil day^?1) on every measurement period. When FGDG and biochar were both added to the sodic soil, TOC did not significantly improve; however, EC_e increased from 3.5 to 7.7 dS m^?1, SAR_e decreased from 16 to 9, and soil respiration rate increased for all measurements. The results confirm there is potential for FGDG and biochar to reclaim sodic soils alone, and applied in combination.     

Germination,growth and ions uptake of moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) grown under saline condition

Salinity is the major environmental stress that affects the growth and productivity of plants. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of salinity on growth and ions uptake by moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) plant. The experiment was carried out in two phases. Initially, a germination test was conducted in the laboratory under the different salinity levels (control, 5, 10, 15, and 20 dS m^?1) and found that moringa seeds were germinated only at 5 and 10 dS m^?1 salinity levels, and no germination occurred at higher salinity levels (15 and 20 dS m^?1). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications. In the second phase, three-week old nursery grown plants of moringa were shifted in pots under the five salinity levels (control, 5, 10, 15, and 20 dS m^?1). The experiment was laid out in CRD and replicated four times. In pot experiment, the root, shoot length, and dry weights were significantly affected by increasing the salinity levels. The uptake of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ was highly affected at different salinity levels as compared to control and Na⁺ ions accumulation was higher in roots rather than shoot. The results reveal that moringa plant can germinate, survive, and can be cultivated in areas with moderate saline condition.     

Changes in Extractable Si,Fe, and Mn as Affected by Silicon,Salinity, and Waterlogging in a Sandy Loam Soil

Silicon (Si) is one of the most abundant elements in the earth's crust, although its availability may be affected by some edaphic and abiotic factors such as soil moisture and salinity. In a laboratory experiment, effects of silicon (Si), salinity, and soil moisture on changes of extractable Si, iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) concentrations were investigated on a sandy loam calcareous soil. The experiment was arranged as a factorial completely randomized design with three replications. Two levels of Si (8 and 200 mg per kg of soil), three salinity levels [0.46 dS m^?1, 8 dS m^?1 as sodium chloride (NaCl), and 8 dS m^?1 as four-salt combination], two soil moisture regimes (–20 kPa and waterlogged), and four incubation times (0, 7, 30, and 45 days) were applied. Salt composition consisted of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, calcium chloride, and magnesium sulfate at a molar ratio of 4:2:2:1. Acetic acid–extractable Si, Fe, and Mn were determined after 0, 7, 30, and 45 days of incubation. Waterlogging caused significant increase in the extractable Si, Fe, and Mn. Soil salinity of 8 dS m^?1, only in the form of sodium chloride, resulted in a marked decrease in extractable Si, Fe, and Mn. Silicon addition enhanced the soil Si concentration, with no effect on Fe and Mn. Equilibrium time for Si and Fe was 30 days, whereas Mn concentration reached to a constant level after 1 week of waterlogging. It was concluded that Si, Fe, and Mn fertilizers should be applied in sufficient amounts to the saline soils to prevent their deficiencies in plants. Meanwhile, overfertilization in waterlogged conditions must be avoided, because of the probability of nutrient imbalance or toxicity.     

Variable inhibition of iron uptake by oat phytosiderophore in five soybean cultivars

Abstract

Greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on plant growth, and nutrient uptake in saline soils with different salt and phosphorus (P) levels. The following treatments were included in this experiment: (i) Soil A, with salt level of 16.6 dS m^?1 and P level of 8.4 mg kg^?1; (ii) Soil B, with salt level of 6.2 dS m^?1 and P level of 17.5 mg kg^?1; and (iii) Soil C, with salt level of 2.4 dS m^?1 and P level of 6.5 mg kg^?1. Soils received no (control) or 25 mg P kg^?1 soil as triple super phosphate and were either not inoculated (control) or inoculated with a mixture of AM (AM1) and/or with Glomus intraradices (AM2). All pots were amended with 125 mg N kg^?1 soil as ammonium sulfate. Barley (Hordeum vulgar L., cv. “ACSAD 6”) was grown for five weeks. Plants grown on highly saline soils were severely affected where the dry weight was significantly lower than plants growing on moderately and low saline soils. The tiller number and the plant height were also lower under highly saline condition. The reduced plant growth under highly saline soils is mainly attributed to the negative effect of the high osmotic potential of the soil solution of the highly saline soils which tend to reduce the nutrient and water uptake as well as reduce the plant root growth. Both the application of P fertilizers and the soil inoculation with either inoculum mixture or G. intraradices increased the dry weight and the height of the plants but not the tiller number. The positive effect of P application on plant growth was similar to the effect of AM inoculation. Phosphorus concentration in the plants was higher in the mycorrhizal plant compared to the non mycorrhizal ones when P was not added. On the other hand, the addition of P increased the P concentration in the plants of the non mycorrhizal plants to as high as that of the mycorrhizal plants. Iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) uptake increased with AM inoculation. The addition of P had a positive effect on micronutrient uptake in soil with low level of soil P, but had a negative effect in soil with high level of soil P. Micronutrient uptake decreases with increasing soil salinity level. Inoculation with AMF decreases sodium (Na) concentration in plants grown in soil of the highest salinity level but had no effect when plants were grown in soil with moderate or low salinity level. The potassium (K) concentration was not affected by any treatment while the K/Na ratio was increased by AM inoculation only when plant were grown in soil of the highest salinity level.     

Different Levels of Irrigation Water Salinity and Biochar Influence on Faba Bean Yield,Water Productivity,and Ions Uptake

Greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of irrigation water salinity (0.5, 2.5, 5 and 7.5 dS m^?1) and wheat straw biochar (0%, 1.25%, 2.5%, and 3.75% w/w) on growth and yield of faba been using complete randomized design with three replications. Stomatal conductance (green canopy temperature) of faba bean increased (decreased) by application of biochar at each salinity level. The results showed increasing salinity to 2.5 dS m^?1 at zero biochar application increased the seed yield through osmotic adjustment, while by declining the osmotic potential, the nutritional values of biochar caused the seed yield to increase by increasing salinity to 5 dS m^?1. The root length density and root dry weight density in 0–8 cm soil layer declined under application of 3.75% w/w biochar in all salinity levels in comparison with that obtained in 2.5% w/w biochar, due to higher saline condition of the soil as result of higher biochar application. The results showed that addition of 2.5% w/w biochar can significantly mitigate salinity stress due to its high salt sorption capacity and by increasing potassium/sodium ratio in the soil. In general, since 2.5 % w/w biochar and salinity of 5 dS m^?1 increased dry seed yield and irrigation water productivity compared with that obtained in control (B₀S_0.5), these levels are recommended to improve faba bean growth and yield; however, these levels have to be evaluated under field conditions.     

Effects of Anaerobic Digestate on Chinese Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Yield Components,Soil Properties,and Microbial Communities under Saline Irrigation Condition

ABSTRACT

Digestate is increasingly utilized as a fertilizer, and earlier research was dedicated to plant growth and soil properties, with simple little information available regarding the effects of digestate on soil, plant, and microbial communities under saline irrigation. For this reason, a pot experiment with Chinese melon was conducted in a greenhouse, and digestate (1100 L ha^?1) and a full recommended dose of NPK fertilizer were used. The melons were irrigated with normal water 0.25 (SL0) and 2 dS/m (SL1) using sodium chloride (NaCl). Application of digestate increased the melon plant height and leaves number significantly (p < 0.05) compared to control and treatments that received full NPK dose, under both water treatments (SL0 and SL1). The maximum plant height (SL0: 161 cm and SL1: 85.5 cm) and leaves number (SL0: 156.33 and SL1: 69.67) were observed when digestate used with NPK fertilizer. Plant fruit length, fruit diameter, sugar content, and yield increased significantly by digestate addition. The melon fruit sugar content values were 12% (SL0) and 9.83% (SL1). Soil electrical conductivity values increased when digestate combined with NPK fertilizer (1.4 dS m^?1) particularly, under saline water, while the soil pH is not affected by digestate treatments. Digestate increased bacteria and decreased the number of fungi in the soil. Our results indicated that the usage of digestate could be more effective than NPK fertilizer on plant growth and soil properties. And there is a need to confirm these results in soils more realistic for agricultural field conditions and pay attention to use of digestate with saline irrigation water.     

Integrated effect of potassium humate and α-tocopherol applications on soil characteristics and performance of Phaseolus vulgaris plants grown on a saline soil

Soil salinity is one of the major problems of agriculture that limits plant performance, particularly in arid and semiarid regions. Therefore, the effect of potassium humate (KH) and α-tocopherol (TOC), used singly or in integration, on soil characteristics, and on plant performance, physio-biochemical attributes and antioxidative defense system of Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants grown under salt stress (EC = 6.35–6.42 dS m^?1) was investigated. Half g KH kg^?1 soil was used as soil amendment before sowing and 1.0 mM TOC was used as foliar spray twice; at 25 and 40 days after sowing. Results showed that, KH significantly improved soil physical and chemical properties, which positively reflected on plant growth and productivity, physio-biochemical attributes, mineral nutrients (N, P, K and Ca), osmoprotectants (soluble sugars and proline), non-enzymatic (ascorbic acid, glutathione and TOC) and enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase and guaiacol peroxidase (GPOX)) antioxidants compared to untreated controls. The single TOC foliar application recorded the same positive results of KH. Integrated KH + TOC treatment was most effective compared to the single treatments. The above results recommended benefits of this integrated KH + TOC for the possibility of sustainable agronomic performance of common beans grown on saline soils.     

Performance of Some Wheat Cultivars Under Saline Irrigation Water in Field Conditions

Most of the crop salt tolerance studies are often conducted in a glasshouse and are limited under field conditions. Therefore, the present research study was conducted under field conditions to evaluate the performance of six wheat cultivars at five salinity levels (EC 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 dS m^?1) in split plot design with three replications. Increasing salinity significantly increased soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). Yield parameters of different cultivars were affected more at higher salinity levels than lower in two years. Data over two years revealed that up to EC 9 dS m^?1 cultivars PBW 658 and HD 2967 performed ???better on the absolute yield basis but PBW 621 produced ?higher relative yield. At EC 12 dS m^?1, PBW 658 produced significantly higher grain yield (4.23 t ha^?1) than cultivars HD 2967 (4.11 t ha^?1) and PBW 621 (3.99 t ha^?1); therefore, should be preferred at salinity more than 9 dS m^?1.     

Space-Time Modeling of the Electrical Conductivity of Soil in a Geothermal Zone

The aim of this study was to generate models to predict the salinity of the soils in the geothermal zone which is located in Michoacán, México, over space and time. Systematic sampling was performed at locations 400 m apart with a sampling period every 48 days. At each site, two soil samples, from depths of 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm, were collected and analysed in laboratory. Regression-Kriging was used to make spatial predictions of the electrical conductivity of soil (ECs). Spherical and Gaussian theoretical models fit the experimental semivariograms. The results showed that the soil samples ranged from slightly saline (2.1–4 dS m^?1) to strongly saline (8.1–16 dS m^?1). In addition, the ECs was greater at a depth of 30–60 cm than it was at a depth of 0–30 cm. The ECs decreased from more than 8.0 dS m^?1 to less than 4.0 dS m^?1 after the first sampling period.     

Integrative Soil Application of Humic Acid and Sulfur Improves Saline Calcareous Soil Properties and Barley Plant Performance

ABSTRACT

During the 2017 and 2018 seasons, two field experiments were conducted on newly reclaimed saline calcareous soil (7.13 dS m^?1, 16.9% CaCO₃) in the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Demo, Fayoum Governorate, Egypt. The current work aimed at identifying the potential positive effects of applied humic acid (HA) and elemental sulfur (S) on some soil properties and barley plant performance. The results showed that the application of HA and/or S at different rates ameliorated the adverse effects of saline calcareous soil conditions and significantly reduced some chemical properties of the soil (e.g., pH, ECe, and CaCO₃%), while soil organic matter (OM%) and some nutrients (e.g., P, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) contents were significantly increased. In addition, the contents of nutrients (e.g., P, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) in barley plant and yielded grain, grain content of N and protein (%), and the performance (e.g., plant height, spike length, grain and straw yields, and weight of 1000-grain) of barley plant were significantly increased with the application of HA and/or S. The best results were obtained through the integrative application of 100 kg HA + 400 kg S ha^?1 to the tested saline calcareous soil. Therefore, the integrative soil application of 100 kg HA + 400 kg S ha^?1 can be recommended for the cultivation and sustainability of crop production in saline calcareous soil, in addition to rationalize the use of mineral fertilizers, which represent a surplus point for the sustainable agriculture system.