Influence of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria,Compost, and Biochar of Azolla on Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L.) Growth and Some Soil Quality Indicators in a Calcareous Soil

In order to study the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Azolla compost and Azolla biochar on some soil quality indicators and rosemary growth, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with six replications. Treatments consisted of T₁ (control), T₂ (1% Azolla compost), T₃ (1% Azolla biochar), T₄ (PGPR (P. fluorescens), T₅ (1% compost + PGPR) and T₆ (1% biochar + PGPR). Rosemary growth parameters and nutrients concentration increased in all treatments compared to control. Treatments increased soil nutrient concentrations, soil microbial respiration (SMR) and microbial biomass C (MBC) but decreased soil metabolic quotient (qCO₂) compared to control treatment. A significant enhancement in rosemary growth occurred due to the improved soil quality as a result of organic fertilizers application, particularly by co-application of P. fluorescens and compost or biochar of Azolla.     

Biochar and Sewage Sludge Application Increases Yield and Micronutrient Uptake in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A greenhouse experiment was conducted in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (U.P.), India, during kharif 2013 to find out the effect of biochar and sewage sludge (SS) on growth, yield, and micronutrient uptake in rice crop. Nine treatments were employed using six different doses of biochar (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 10, 15, and 20 t ha^?1) amended with a fixed dose of SS (30 t ha^?1) and 50% recommended dose of nitrogen (50% RDN), i.e., 60 kg ha^?1. Other three treatments were absolute control (no fertilizers), 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (100% RDF) which was 120:60:60 kg ha^?1 as nitrogen (N): phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅):dipotassium oxide (K₂O), and 30 t ha^?1SS + 50% RDN. Experimental results showed a significant increase in yield of rice crop with increasing levels of biochar along with SS. Application of biochar at 20 t ha^?1 along with 30 t ha^?1SS increased grain yield to the extent of 2.5 times over absolute control (no fertilizers) and 8.5% over control (100% RDF). The uptake of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) (micronutrients) increased significantly with graded doses of biochar application from 2.5 to 20 t ha^?1 in the soil. The maximum micronutrient uptake and grain yield of rice were found in T₉ where 30 t ha^?1SS along with 20 t ha^?1 biochar was applied with only 50% RDN. The maximum availability of micronutrients in soil was found with 30 t ha^?1 of SS + 50% RDN (T₃) followed by conjoint application of 20 t ha^?1 of biochar and 30 t ha^?1 SS + 50% RDN (T₉).     

功能菌剂与生物炭配施对沙化土壤的影响

研究生物炭和功能菌剂协同调控沙化土壤养分和微生物多样性与功能，可为沙化土壤肥力培育提供理论依据。选择毛乌素沙地典型生态经济林沙化土壤为研究对象，采用田间定位试验，运用高通量扩增测序技术，解析不同添加量(2%,4%,8%)生物炭处理及其配施定量功能菌剂(枯草芽孢杆菌+巨大芽孢杆菌+胶质芽孢杆菌)处理对土壤化学性质及细菌菌群多样性与功能的影响。结果表明：(1)与单一生物炭处理相比，生物炭+功能菌剂处理组土壤有效氮、磷养分含量分别提升44.71%和187.36%;(2)生物炭单施或者配施功能菌剂均使酸杆菌门相对丰度显著降低，而生物炭+功能菌剂处理中厚壁菌门的相对丰度，分别增加163.80%,155.15%,100.21%,并且不同程度上调土壤细菌物种丰富度和多样性；(3)功能菌剂与生物炭配施改变土壤细菌介导的碳氮循环功能，如显著提高土壤细菌的有机物质分解功能，壳聚糖和木聚糖分解过程较对照组分别上升186.54%,242.46%,增强细菌的氨化和呼吸功能，而单施生物炭处理提升细菌的反硝化与固氮功能。综上，生物炭和功能菌剂的添加提高土壤有效氮磷养分含量，显著改变土壤细菌群落多样性与群落功能，生物...     

Effect of Nitrogen on the Alleviation of Boron Toxicity in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Pot experiments were conducted in the greenhouse on a calcareous soil to study effect of nitrogen (N) on the alleviation of boron (B) toxicity in rice. The treatments consisted of factorial combination of six levels of B (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg kg^?1 as boric acid), and four levels of N (0, 75, 150, and 300 mg kg^?1 as urea) in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Boron addition (higher than 2.5 mg kg^?1) significantly reduced the seeds yield. Nitrogen addition alleviated the growth suppression effects caused by B supplements. Yield was increased by application of 2.5 mg B kg^?1 at all N levels, but at higher levels, B significantly decreased the yield of rice. Boron concentration declined with increasing N levels. Boron application increased the concentrations of B, potassium, phosphorous (P), and zinc. Nitrogen application decreased the concentration of Zn and increased the concentration of N and P.     

生物质炭施用对潮土理化性状、酶活性及黄瓜产量的影响

分析生物质炭施用对潮土理化性状、酶活性及黄瓜产量的影响,为生物质炭在农业中的推广应用提供科学依据。以如皋市农业科学研究所大棚示范区为试验基地,通过田间小区试验,研究了不同生物质炭施用量(0,5,10,20,30,40t/hm~2)条件下土壤理化性状、酶活性及黄瓜产量变化。结果表明:生物质炭施用对土壤理化性状及土壤酶活性有显著的影响。高施用量(40t/hm~2)处理对土壤物理性状的改良效果最好,当生物质炭施用量为30t/hm~2时对土壤养分含量提升效果最好。与对照相比,施用生物质炭各处理土壤容重降幅为0.88%~10.52%,而土壤孔隙度、饱和含水量、田间持水量、饱和导水率、有机质、全氮、硝态氮、铵态氮和速效磷含量的增幅分别为3.68%~7.53%,27.96%~119.25%,30.73~55.05%,1.89%~224.61%,10.39%~54.56%,6.06%~22.58%,2.33%~45.63%,235.71%~414.29%和19.37%~77.76%。土壤脲酶和过氧化氢酶的活性及黄瓜产量随着生物质炭施用量的增加均呈先增加后降低的趋势,两种酶的活性分别在生物质炭施用量为30t/hm~2和20t/hm~2时最大,较对照分别提高了104.57%和15.38%;生物质炭施用量为30t/hm~2时对黄瓜增产效果最好,该处理下黄瓜产量较对照提高了21.80%。主成分分析结果表明,不同生物质炭施用量处理下的土壤质量次序为C4C5C3C2C1CK。在土壤中施用生物质炭不仅可以促进黄瓜增产,改善土壤理化性状,提高土壤养分含量,还可以改良土壤生物学性质,提升土壤酶活性。     

Impacts of Calcium Silicate Slag on the Availability of Silicon and Trace Contaminants in Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Calcium silicate slag from the phosphorus fertilizer industry has the potential to be used as a liming agent or for silicon (Si) fertilization in rice production, but it contains trace elements that may contaminate rice grain and straw. A greenhouse study was performed to evaluate the bioavailability of Si and trace elements from slag (0, 1000, 2000, and 4000 mg kg^?1) surface-applied or incorporated to a mineral soil and an organic soil. Slag application increased Si availability and rice grain yield relative to the control. Trace element and radioactivity in soil and rice grain were not significantly affected by slag supplementation. The applied slag showed minimal influence on plant available cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), or lead (Pb); however, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the organic soil increased, whereas Ni in the mineral soil decreased. Results indicate that the evaluated slag may be used as a Si fertilizer or liming amendment for rice with minimal environmental risks.     

添加秸秆及生物质炭对风沙土有机碳及其活性组分的影响

以宁夏贺兰山东路风沙土为研究对象,分析秸秆、生物质炭等碳量添加下土壤有机碳及活性碳组分的变化,为确定该地区最佳施肥措施提供科学理论依据。结果表明:添加生物质炭和秸秆均显著增加了土壤有机碳含量,与对照相比土壤有机碳含量分别增加了7.7%、7.5%。添加生物质炭有利于土壤易氧化有机碳、颗粒有机碳的积累,二者含量分别比对照增加49.6%、17.5%;而添加秸秆更有利于土壤微生物生物量碳、可溶性有机碳的积累,其含量分别比对照分别增加25.8%、59.9%。秸秆与生物质炭添加均显著增加了土壤速效氮、容重和黏粒含量,且以添加生物质炭增加作用更为明显,显著降低了土壤全盐、砂粒含量。土壤有机碳、可溶性有机碳、颗粒有机碳、易氧化有机碳与速效氮含量极显著正相关,与全盐、砂粒含量极显著负相关;土壤可溶性有机碳、颗粒有机碳、易氧化有机碳与容重极显著负相关;而土壤微生物生物量碳与理化性质之间无显著相关性。综上,在风沙土中添加生物质炭更有利于土壤活性碳库提升和理化性质改善,且以年添加量7 t/hm²以上为宜。     

氮肥减量施生物炭对水稻产量和养分利用的影响

为解决水稻生产过度依赖化肥及其环境和高效利用问题,探讨贵州黄壤稻田科学施用生物炭。在贵州省思南县典型黄壤稻田开展氮肥不减量(T0)和氮肥减10%施2.5 t/hm²(T1),氮肥减20%施5.0 t/hm²(T2),氮肥减30%施7.5 t/hm²(T3),氮肥减40%施10.0 t/hm²生物炭(T4)和不施肥对照(CK)共6个处理3次重复田间小区随机区组试验,研究了氮肥减量施生物炭对水稻产量、产量构成和氮磷钾养分吸收利用的影响。结果表明,氮肥减量施生物炭显著影响贵州黄壤稻田水稻产量、产量构成、地上部氮磷钾积累量和利用效率。水稻产量和氮磷钾积累量随氮肥减量和生物炭用量增加先增大后减小。2019年、2020年和2021年水稻实际产量和理论产量均分别以T2、T3和T2最高,较T0分别显著增产16.04%,17.94%和14.73%以及55.72%,64.08%和118.91%,水稻籽粒N、P₂O₅和K₂O积累量、偏生产力、农学效率、表观利用率和收获指数均较高,是较好的氮肥减量施生物炭处理。产量—施生物炭量回归方程和极值分析表明,2019年、2020年和2021年氮肥分别减量21.76%,24.60%和19.00%(即32.64,36.90,28.50 kg/hm²)施生物炭量5.44,6.15,4.75 t/hm²时水稻产量最高(分别为7.80,8.57,8.03 t/hm²),较T0分别增产22.52%,18.78%和13.74%。氮肥减量施生物炭显著提高氮磷钾化肥利用率,但导致化肥+生物炭磷和钾利用率降低,因此,贵州黄壤稻田施生物炭时应氮磷钾化肥同步减量,降低比例以氮磷钾减量19.00%~24.60%,施生物炭5.00~6.25 t/hm²为宜。研究结果对指导贵州黄壤稻田氮磷钾化肥减量和施生物炭具有重要指导意义。     

Effects of Nitrogen Management on Soil Nitrogen Content and Rice Grain Yield in Double Cropping Rice Production Area with Continuous Full Amount of Straw Returning

ABSTRACT

In order to formulate a nitrogen (N) management strategy under continuous full amount of straw returning (CFSR) for double cropping rice production, long-term (2013–2016) paddy field experiments were conducted in double cropping rice production area in the Jiangxi province, China. Five N fertilizer treatments under CFSR were tested, that is, (i) no N fertilizer application (CK); (ii) conventional N fertilizer application (165kg N ha^?1 and 195 kg N ha^?1 in early and late rice variety with the ratio of basal dressing to topdressing as 6:4, respectively) (CNF_6:4); (iii) recommended N fertilizer application (135 kg ha^?1 N and 165 kg ha^?1 N in early and late rice variety with the ratio of basal dressing to topdressing as 4:6, 6:4, and 8:2, respectively) (RNF_4:6, RNF_6:4, and RNF_8:2). Nitrogen fertilizer treatments under CFSR had 5.70% and 8.93% higher soil total nitrogen (TN), 1.32% and 0.80% higher available nitrogen (AN), 16.55% and 22.94% higher NH₄⁺-N, and 13.10% and 7.93% higher NO₃^--N than CK treatments in early and late rice variety, respectively. There were no differences in soil TN, AN, NH₄⁺-N, and NO₃^--N contents between CNF6:4 and RNF6:4 treatments, while CNF6:4 treatment showed higher or significantly higher soil N contents than RNF4:6 and RNF8:2 treatments. N fertilizer treatment under CFSR showed 88.9% and 43.20% higher grain yield and 62.15% and 42.52% higher panicle numbers than CK treatments in early and late rice variety, respectively. Compared with CNF6:4, RNF treatments did not significantly reduce grain yield and yield components in early and late rice variety, respectively, except for RNF8:2. Compared with RNF6:4 and 8:2, RNF4:6 showed higher rice grain yield, while no obvious differences in yield components were obtained among all RNF treatments. We concluded that N fertilizer under CFSR was helpful to improve soil N contents and double rice grain yield and panicle numbers. Appropriate reduction of N application (18% and 15% reduction in early and late rice variety, respectively) on the basis of adjusting ratio of basal dressing to topdressing as 4:6 and 6:4 did not significantly reduce soil TN and double rice grain yield and yield components, especially, the 40% basal N dressing and 60% N topdressing was beneficial to increase double rice grain yield under CFSR.     

生物炭在盐碱地改良中的应用进展

盐碱地是我国重要的后备耕地资源,盐碱地治理与农业利用在保障口粮绝对安全、保持现有耕地稳定、坚守粮食基本自给的安全底线等方面具有重要作用.环境友好型土壤改良剂—生物炭在促进农业可持续发展方面前景巨大.然而,现有研究多关注于生物炭在中性和酸性土壤中的改良作用,缺乏其对盐碱地改良的深入研究和系统总结.通过综合分析国内外生物炭...     

生物质炭和秸秆施用对黄褐土生化性质及小麦产量的影响

以位于河南省方城县的黄褐土田间定位试验为平台,监测生物质炭和秸秆连续施用4 a后小麦拔节期和成熟期土壤性质变化及其与成熟期籽粒产量的关系,明确影响小麦产量的主要土壤生化因子。试验包含6个处理,即分别在不施用生物质炭(–B)和施用生物质炭(+B)条件下各设置3个处理:(1)对照(CK),(2)单施化肥(NPK),(3)秸秆还田配施化肥(NPK+S)。结果表明:生物质炭和秸秆施用对土壤生化性质和籽粒产量的影响基本上不存在交互作用。连续4a施用生物质炭后,小麦产量平均降低了17.4%。尽管NPK+S与NPK处理间平均产量没有显著差异,但它们比CK处理产量分别增加了33.8%和37.4%。采用偏最小二乘法路径模型(PLS–PM)分别分析了拔节期和成熟期的土壤速效养分、活性有机质和酶活性对产量的影响,发现小麦拔节期的土壤速效养分含量,特别是氮素的供应是直接影响产量的最为重要因子;而成熟期土壤生化性质对作物产量的影响比较小。因此,为防止黄褐土上施用生物质炭和秸秆后小麦产量降低,需要特别注意小麦拔节期土壤氮素的补充。     

水稻秸秆还田配施肥料对小麦产量和氮素利用的影响

为了解高C/N比秸秆还田与肥料施用对金坛地区小麦产量和氮素利用的影响，通过设置大田试验，研究了稻秸还田与肥料施用对麦季土壤养分、微生物生物量、作物产量和氮肥利用率的影响。结果表明：稻秸还田配施肥料能够提高土壤速效养分含量。单施肥仅显著影响拔节期微生物生物量碳，单施稻秸显著影响拔节期和抽穗期微生物生物量氮，稻秸还田和肥料施用的交互作用在拔节期显著影响土壤微生物生物量和微生物熵。单施肥、稻秸配施肥料处理的氮肥表观利用率分别为31%和37%，稻秸配施肥料后的氮肥农学利用率和偏生产力表明每kg纯氮增产幅度约为6.86 kg籽粒。单施肥和稻秸配施肥料显著增加了小麦每穗粒数及千粒重，并且理论产量分别增加211%和319%，实际产量则分别增加119%和231%，而单施稻秸处理的实产却减产21%。综合分析认为，稻秸还田搭配肥料施用，能够保证当季土壤有效氮供应，促进土壤有机质转化为更易被微生物利用的形态，提高养分有效性，促进小麦对氮素的吸收利用，有利于每穗粒数和千粒重的增加，从而最终提高小麦的产量。     

稻壳炭对红壤理化特性及芥菜生长的影响

本文探讨了不同热解温度制备的稻壳炭的基本性质,并通过盆栽试验研究了500℃热解稻壳炭添加量对南方红壤理化性质和芥菜产量的影响。结果表明:稻壳炭添加量3%、5%和10%三个处理显著改善了红壤的理化性质,土壤体积质量较对照处理依次降低0.11、0.28和0.42 g/cm~3,p H由4.5分别增加到7.5、7.8、8.4,CEC依次增加52.16%、187.02%和214.35%,土壤有机质、速效磷和速效钾显著增加,但稻壳炭添加量10%处理的土壤碱解氮含量降低。稻壳炭对芥菜的养分含量、产量等指标影响较为显著,随着施炭量的增加,芥菜的生物量增加,叶片全氮从1.63 g/kg增加到2.44 g/kg,全磷从2.32 g/kg增加到3.09 g/kg,全钾从47.1 g/kg增加到56.7 g/kg,产量由108.37 g/盆增加到608.7 g/盆。总之,添加5%的500℃热解稻壳炭有效改善了酸度较强的红壤的理化性质,促进了芥菜的生长和增收以及对氮磷钾养分的吸收和储存。在红壤改良上,稻壳炭的最佳添加比例为5%。     

长期减量化施肥对水稻产量和土壤肥力的影响

为探讨减量化施肥对水稻产量及土壤肥力的影响,对巢湖流域连续10年减量化施肥和秸秆还田定位试验后的水稻产量、土壤有机质、有效氮磷钾、有效铜锌铁锰含量及土壤酶活性进行了测定和分析。结果表明:长期减氮30%或减磷50%处理对水稻产量无明显降低作用,减量+秸秆还田有增产作用,但增产不显著;减氮30%或减磷50%会降低土壤中有机质含量,增加土壤中速效钾、碱解氮含量,减磷50%土壤中的有效磷含量显著降低,减量+秸秆还田会增加土壤中的有机质、速效钾、碱解氮、有效铜锌铁锰含量,对有效磷的增加效果不显著;较不施肥相比,施肥能够明显提高土壤的酶活性,减少氮磷肥会一定程度地降低土壤中的酶活性,减量+秸秆还田对脲酶的增加效果不明显,但会显著增加土壤中性磷酸酶和蔗糖酶活性;土壤酶活性与水稻产量及土壤养分含量之间呈显著或极显著正相关关系。综合考虑减量化施肥对水稻产量和土壤肥力的影响,可提出在巢湖流域实施减量化施肥+秸秆还田处理来代替高产施肥。     

整地时期对东北雨养区土壤含水量及玉米产量的影响

以东北雨养区春玉米农田为研究对象,分析春季和秋季2个整地时期对农田土壤含水量、土壤物理性状、土壤养分含量以及玉米产量等的影响。结果表明:秋整地可显著提高玉米产量,与春整地相比增产8.7%(P<0.05)。秋整地处理下土壤水分状况得到显著改善,播种前和苗期耕层土壤(0-20cm)含水量分别比春整地高18.9%和5.6%。整地时期对种子层土壤(0-10cm)的物理特性影响不明显(P>0.05),但秋整地可显著改善10-40cm的根层土壤物理性状,其中土壤孔隙度比春整地平均提高10.0%,而土壤容重则比春整地平均下降11.6%。整地时期对0-40cm层次的土壤硬度和土壤养分含量影响不显著。可见,秋整地主要通过改善土壤物理蓄水性能和减少水分散失提高土壤水分含量,保证较高的成株率和成穗率,进而利于玉米高产稳产。     

土壤属性和作物生长对生物炭施用的响应和反馈研究进展

生物炭作为一种土壤改良剂,近年来在提升土壤质量和作物产量方面效应良好。在全面梳理生物炭施用效果方面的最新研究基础上,总结了土壤理化性质、作物生长和产量对生物炭施用的响应和反馈规律。结果表明：(1)生物炭的来源、是否酸化、施用年限及施用量决定了施用后的土壤属性及作物产量变化幅度。一般来说,施用量增加、土壤容重降低,土壤孔隙度增加、土壤水力性质及入渗性能改善,土壤温度也增加。(2)由于土壤物理性质改变,施用生物炭最终降低了土壤表层的盐分表聚。生物炭对土壤pH的调节效果取决于两者pH的差异。此外,随着生物炭施用量增加,有机质含量呈线性增加趋势,而有效氮、有效钾和有效磷呈先增加后减小的趋势。(3)适宜施用生物炭使作物长势更好、产量更高;而过高的施量既不经济、增加成本,又对作物产量提升无益,适宜生物炭施用量为10～40 t/hm²。(4)总体上,虽然土壤属性和作物生长对生物炭施用的响应和反馈因试验条件、土壤质地和作物类型、气候条件差异而表现出响应幅度不同,但大部分结果证实,土壤属性和作物生长对生物炭施用具有正面响应。今后在生物炭施用的科学认识和生产实践中需因地制宜制定施用策...     

Grain Yield,Yield Components,Soil Fertility,and Biological Activity under Organic and Conventional Rice Production Systems

A field experiment was conducted for 2 years on a clayey Vertisol to compare the organic and conventional methods of rice farming. Two main plot treatments were with and without plant protection and four subplot treatments were (1) control (CON); (2) inorganic fertilizers (CF); (3) organics (OF), and (4) inorganics + organics (integrated nutrient management, INM). The organics were green manure, paddy straw, and poultry manure. After 2 years, the main plot effects were not significant in terms of crop productivity though there was a reduction in soil biological parameters. Increase in grain yield was larger with inorganics and INM as compared to the organics because of the higher panicle number. However, organics increased the microbial populations, biomass carbon, nitrogen, enzyme activities, and soil fertility as compared to inorganics. Thus, organics improved the nutrient availability by influencing the soil biological activity although it did not reflect in greater yields.     

Evaluation of Different PGPR Strains for Yield Enhancement and Higher Zn Content in Different Genotypes of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.)

Rice, one of the most important staple food crops of the world, suffers a major setback nutritionally, because it is deficient in bioavailable zinc. In an attempt to answer this problem a field study was performed for two years during 2010 and 2011. Rice plants were treated with selected plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR; P. putida, P. fluorescens, A. lipoferum, B 15, B 17, B 19, BN 17, and BN 30) and plant growth, zinc (Zn) content in different plant parts and grains was analyzed. The data obtained showed enhancement in rice growth and hence, increased rice yield in response to PGPR application. All isolates resulted in almost 1.5- to 2-fold increase in Zn content in roots, shoots as well as grains in comparison to the control. The bacterial isolates B 17, B 19, and BN 17 were of particular interest as they induced the movement of Zn from roots to shoots as well as from husk to the grains, thus making grains enriched in Zn (around 25% higher Zn content). Therefore, it can be concluded that application of PGPR strains is an important strategy to combat the problem of zinc deficiency in rice and consecutively in human masses.     

Municipal Solid Waste Compost Improves Crop Productivity in Saline-Sodic Soil: A Multivariate Analysis of Soil Chemical Properties and Yield Response

A pot experiment was conducted in sandy clay loam saline-sodic soil to assess the effects of farm yard manure (FYM), municipal solid waste (MSW) composts and gypsum application on nitrate leaching, soil chemical properties and crop productivity under rice-wheat cropping system. It also aims at establishing the correlation between soil phsico-chemical properties and yield response using principle component analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. The MSW was decomposed aerobically, an-aerobically and co-composted. Maximum nitrate leaching was observed during rice (75.9 mg L^?1) and wheat (37.2 mg L^?1) with an-aerobically decomposed MSW as compared with control treatment. Results revealed a decrease in soil pH (?6.95% and ?8.77%), electrical conductivity (EC) (?48.13% and ?51.04%), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) (?40.30% and ?48.96%), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) (?40.27% and ?45.98%) with an-aerobically decomposed MSW compost during rice and wheat, respectively. In this treatment, organic matter (OM) (93.55% and 121.51%) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) (19.31% and 31.79%) were the highest as compared with control treatment during rice and wheat, respectively. Rice and wheat growth were significantly (p≤ 0.05) increased by an-aerobically decomposed MSW followed by co-compost, aerobically decomposed MSW, FYM, gypsum and control. Furthermore, Pearson correlation coefficients predicted significant positive correlation of yield with soil OM, and CEC while inverse relationship was observed with EC, pH, CaCO₃, and nitrogen use efficiency. Soil amelioration with organic and gypsum amendments was further confirmed with principal component analysis. This study has proved an-aerobically decomposed MSW as an effective solution for MSW disposal, thereby improving soil chemical properties and crop productivity from sandy clay loam saline-sodic soil.     

Response of Sugarcane to Calcium Silicate on Yield,Gas Exchange Characteristics,Leaf Nutrient Concentrations,and Soil Properties in Two Different Soils

Silicon (Si), applied as calcium silicate (Ca-silicate), was evaluated for effects on yield; yield-contributing parameters in sugarcane, such as chlorophyll content, gas exchange characteristics, moisture content, and leaf nutrient concentrations; and soil fertility in the greenhouse in two different soil types. Seven levels of Si (0 20, 40, 60, 80, 120, and 150 g pot^–1) were tested by applying them with traditional fertilizers. Gas exchange characteristics such as photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance were significantly greater with the plants fertilized with silicate over unamended control for both soils. Silicate fertilization increased chlorophyll and moisture contents in the top visible dewlap (TVD) leaf tissues, but results were not significantly better in both soils when compared with unamended control. In our 12-month study, we found that the Si content reached up to 2.64% and 1.86% per dry mass in TVD leaf tissues when amended with Ca-silicate fertilizer in soils 1 and 2, respectively. Results showed that as compared to unamended control, Si-amended treatments significantly increased maximum dry matter and cane yield by 77% and 66% in soil 1 and 41% and 15% in soil 2, respectively. With increasing silicate application, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese contents significantly decreased in leaf tissues and soil contents in both soils. Soil pH, Si contents, available sulfur, exchangeable Ca and magnesium, and cation exchange capacity were increased significantly more or less, whereas aluminum contents of soil decreased dramatically in both soils when amended with Ca-silicate. Our results indicate that different soil fertility status and rates of Si application are important factors influencing the yield, growth parameters, chlorophyll, and nutrient contents of sugarcane leaf as well as soil properties.