Rice Straw Composting and Its Effect on Soil Properties

In Egypt, recycling rice straw and organic wastes is of great concern as well as improvement of soil properties. Rice straw compost could improve both organic waste recycling and soil quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the rice straw compost, with or without water treatment residuals (WTR), on soil chemical properties and dry weight of canola. The results showed that the addition of rice straw compost and WTR decreased soil salinity and increased Ca⁺², K⁺ and organic matter. The addition of compost and WTR (2:1 wet weight ratio) at level of 10 g dry weight kg^?1 dry soil gave the best reduction in soil salinity compared to compost or WTR only or for level 10 g dry weight kg^?1 dry soil. The results also showed that the available P decreased with the application of WTR while it increased with the application of compost. The study demonstrated that the dry weight and relative increase (R.I %) of dry weight of canola plants increased with the application of WTR and compost to soil. Combinations of WTR and compost to soils had a greater effect on increasing yield and improved the efficiency of WTR on soil properties.