Influence of some soil amendments on some characteristics of calcareous soil and its productivity of faba bean and maize [electronic resource].

Includes references.

A field experiment was carried out in Noubaria Agric. Res. station for two successive seasons (winter season 2008/2009 using faba bean crop followed by summer season 2009 using maize crop) to study the impact of some soil amendments on improving of some physical and chemical properties of calcareous soil and its productivity. The amendments included rice straw compost and elemental sulphur, which added either alone or in combination. Randomized complete block (RCBD) with three replicates was the design of this experiment. The treatments of compost were control, 10m³ compost /fed and 20m³ compost/fed, while the treatments of sulphur were 0.5 ton sulphur/fed and 1.0 ton sulphur/fed. The combination treatments were 10m³ comrost/fed + 0.5 ton sulphur/fed, 10m³ compost/fed 1.0 ton sulphur/fed, 20m³ compost/fed + 0.5 ton sulphur/fed and 20m³ Compost/fed + 1.0 ton sulphur/fed. The obtained results indicated that, application of organic compost and elemental sulphur alone or in combination improved soil properties. The bulk density, pH, EC, soluble (Na⁺, K⁺, HCO⁻₃ and Cr), SAR and ESP values were decreased, while, total porosity, O.M., field capacity, available water, soluble (Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺and SO=₄) and availability of N, P and K values were increased. Application of compost was more positive effect than sulphur application on improving soil physical properties, while, sulphur application was more positive effect than compost application on improved soil chemical properties. Application of compost and sulphur alone or in combination enhancements the seed yield of faba bean and grain yield of maize as well as their uptake of N, P and K. The combined treatment (20 m³ compost/ fed + 1.0 ton sulphur/fed) was superior in greatiy improving soil physical and chemical properties of the studied soil and reflected on faba bean and maize productivity and nutrients uptake.

Summary in Arabic.

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