Impact of sulphur and biogas manure application on the physical properties of salt affected and calcareous soils and plant growth [electronic resource].

Includes references.

This investigation was carried out at Gemmeiza Agric. Res. Station, during 2010/2011 season on three salt affected soils varied in their content of salinity and sodicity and three calcareous soils varied in their content of CaC03 (%) to study the effect of soil amendments (sulphur and biogas manure) and incubation periods on some physical properties (Bulk density(Bd), Total porosity(Tp), Hydraulic conductivity (Hc) and Total water stable aggregates(TWSA)} of these soils and yield (grain and straw) of barley plants. A pot experiment was carried out in split split plot design with three replicates, where the main plots were the used salt affected and calcareous soils, the sub plots were application rates of sulphur or biogas manure and the sub sub plots were incubation periods. Sulphur application was at rates 0, 2.38, 4.76 and 7.14 ton hectare1. While, biogas manure was applied at 0, 23.80, 47.60 to 71.40 ton hectare-1. The previous treated soil were incubated for 0, 2 and 4 months before cultivation. The obtained results showed that sulphur and biogas manure application in any rate improved soil physical properties (Bd, Tp, Hc and TWSA) and induced significant or highly significant increases in barley grain and straw yield of salt affected and calcareous soils. The incubation of biogas manure or sulphur in soil before sowing, especially at four incubation, appeared a pronounced increases in the values of Tp, He, TWSA and significant increase in yield of barley. On the contrary, values of Bd tended to minimize with the prolonging the incubation periods. Key words: Salt affected soils, calcareous soils, biogas manure, sulphur, physical properties and barley plants.

Summary in Arabic.

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