Salinity problem and rice development in Egypt [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Salinity problem ever presents in Egypt. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) S crop is more relevant and common crop under area affected by salt stress in Egypt. Grain yield of rice under target area is still low as compared to normal soil or national average grain yield in Egypt. Furthermore, people living in such area suffer from severe poverty thereby, increasing grain yield of rice in these areas is badly needed for food security and poverty alleviation. Sowing rice on early date of April 20th with higher seedling quality and vigor, young seedlings of 25 to 30-d old were found to be effective under salt stress in Egypt. The proper spacing of lSxlS cm with 3-6 seedling hiU-1 based on salinity levels and rice cultivars was appropriate under saline condition. The economic rates of N,P,K and Zn nutrients under saline soils are 165, 54, 58 and 24 Kg N, P205, K20 and Zn504 ha•1 , respectively. Nitrogen basal application is not recommended for saline soil and application of small nitrogen dose at the end of booting stage significantly delayed senescence under salt stress, resulting in improving grain filling and leading to high grain yield. The experiments conducted under such dilemma revealed that potassium spray at 2% of K2S04 at mid-tillering, panicle initiation and end of booting stages could substitute the application of 58 kg K20 ha-1 and the application of 7t of FYM and St rice compost straw for two or three successive years and could reduce chemical nitrogen fertilizer to half of the recommended dose. The irrigation intervals every 3 or 4 days was suitable under high salinity level and the irrigation intervals could be prolonged up to 6 days with moderate salt level with water ponded depth of 6 cm. Mixed water with salinity level of 1.9-2.1 dS m-1 could be used all season or up to panicle initiation and shifting to drainage water with salinity level of 5 dS m-1 up to harvest. The transplanting on bed under newly reclaimed saline soil could be applied for higher water productivity with proper management of water. Keywords: Oryza sativa L., Soil salinity, cultural practices, fertilization and irrigation management

Summary in Arabic.

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