Plant Nutrition, Soil Fertility and Fertilizers
Masuod Shahrokhi; Saeid Shafiei; Hosein Shekofteh; Shapour Kouhestani
Abstract
Introduction: The quality of irrigation water has an important effect on the growth and concentrations of nutrients. The application of boron-rich irrigation water is a global issue and the most important boron pollution source in the environment. Poor water quality unavoidably leads to decreased growth ...
Read More
Introduction: The quality of irrigation water has an important effect on the growth and concentrations of nutrients. The application of boron-rich irrigation water is a global issue and the most important boron pollution source in the environment. Poor water quality unavoidably leads to decreased growth of plants. One of the problems of irrigation in tropical regions is the high concentration of boron element in water and its concentration in irrigation water increases every year. In dry areas where agriculture takes place, boron is often found in high concentrations along with saline soils and salty waters. Boron stress occurs widely and limits plant growth and crop productivity worldwide. Boron is in the form of boric acid in the soil solution and it is washed from the soil in heavy rains, but it is not washed enough when it rains, and by accumulating in the soil, it poisons the plant and prevents its growth. Therefore, in arid and semi-arid areas, irrigation with groundwater that has a high boron content reduces crop growth. Therefore, this experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of activated carbon on nutrient concentrations by tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants under the boron stress of irrigation water. Materials and methods: To evaluate the effects of activated carbon on the concentrations and translocation of boron in the plant a factorial experiment with a completely randomized design and three replications was performed in the greenhouse conditions. Treatments included three plants (tomato, cucumber, and eggplant), three levels of boron concentration in irrigation water (0.03, 2.5, and 5 mg l-1) from a boric acid source, and four levels of activated carbon (0, 1, 2, and 3% soil). To prepare seedlings, first, a sufficient number of healthy seeds were selected and for better germination, they were placed in wet napkins for one day and night. Then the seeds were planted in seedling trays with coco peat substrate. In this stage, watering was done once every two days until finally, after 30 days and when the seedlings reached the four-leaf stage and the true leaves appeared, the plants were ready to be transferred to the pots. For cultivation, each of the plastic pots was filled with 3 kg of sampled soil, which was mixed with a proportion of activated carbon according to the type of treatment. Then, in the middle of each pot, several seedlings of the same size were planted. Then the pots were placed in the greenhouse according to the plan. The experiment was conducted with 36 experimental treatments in three replications and a total of 108 experimental units. The soil used was prepared with geographical coordinates (longitude 57˚ 37ʹ and latitude 28˚ 42ʹ) and depth of 0-30 cm and was classified according to the American classification system Sand, mixed, hyperthermic typical Torriorthents. During the growing period, the plants were irrigated daily according to the farm capacity (FC). The day temperature of 25 – 30 °C, the night temperature of 15 – 20 °C, and the relative humidity was 50 – 70%.Results and discussion: The results indicate that the main effects of boron and activated carbon levels had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on the concentration of iron, zinc, manganese, and copper in the aerial parts of the plant. With the amount of boron increased in the treatments, the amount of copper and iron in the aerial parts increased while the amount of manganese and zinc decreased. Regarding the effect of activated carbon, the results showed that by increasing the amount of activated carbon in the treatments, the amount of copper, manganese, and zinc decreased. In contrast, the amount of iron has increased. The highest concentration of iron in the aerial parts (219.6 mg kg-1) belonged to the level of 3% of activated carbon. Also, with the increase in activated carbon in the treatments, concentrations and accumulation of boron in the aerial parts decreased. The highest concentration of boron in the aerial parts (31.77 mg kg-1) was obtained in the cucumber and the level of 0% activated carbon, and the lowest concentration (5.75 mg kg-1) was obtained in eggplant and the level of 3% activated carbon.Conclusions: It is concluded that the use of activated carbon under boron stress conditions can reduce the concentrations and toxicity of boron in plants.
Naser Rashidi; Abdolamir Moezzi; Afrasyab Rahnama
Abstract
Introduction Salinity is one of the growth-limiting factors for pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) crop production in semiarid and arid soils of Iran. Salinity poses two major threats to plant growth: osmotic stress and ionic stress. In addition, it also manifested an oxidative stress. The deleterious effects ...
Read More
Introduction Salinity is one of the growth-limiting factors for pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) crop production in semiarid and arid soils of Iran. Salinity poses two major threats to plant growth: osmotic stress and ionic stress. In addition, it also manifested an oxidative stress. The deleterious effects of salinity affect different physiological and metabolic processes of plants. The uptake of high amounts of salt by the plant leads to the increase of the osmotic pressure in the cytosol. Under this condition compatible osmoprotectant, such as proline and soluble sugars, is produced to protect the cells against the adverse effects from salt stress. High accumulation of proline is associated with tolerance to stress. Na+ and K+ homeostasis plays a vital role in the growth and development of higher plants under salt conditions owing to potassium–sodium (K+–Na+) interaction and is often associated with K+ deficiency. Application of potassium fertilizer affect plants growth and tolerance under salinity stress. The potassium is indispensable for several physiological processes, including the maintenance of membrane potential and turgor, enzyme activation, stomatal movement, regulation of osmotic pressure. Therefore the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of potassium sulfate fertilizer application on growth, photosynthetic pigments, proline, soluble sugar and Na and K Uptake by Badami-riz Zarand P. vera L. (the main pistachio rootstock in Iran’s pistachio plantation area) seedlings under salinity stress. Materials and methods This study carried out in greenhouse condition as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design and in three replications. Experimental factors was salinity of irrigation water (in three levels including 0.65, 5 and 10 dS m-1) and potassium sulfate fertilizer application )in three levels including without application or control, 150 and 250 mg kg-1 soil). Pistachio (Pistacia vera L. cv. Badami-riz Zarand) seeds were surface sterilized with solution of sodium hypochlorite in distilled water. Seedlings were transplanted in plastic potscontaining 10 kg of soil. The pots were maintained in the greenhouse under 25 ± 4 ◦C temperature and under natural light. The mean relative humidity was 40 %. At the end of growth period (six mounth), the plants were harvested and leaf area, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, proline, spluble sugar, root and shoot K and Na concentration were measured. In addition, the K and Na uptake in shoot and root, as well as K/Na ratio were calculated. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using SAS program version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Significant differences of the mean values (P <0 .05 for F-test) were determined by Duncans’s Multiple Range Test. Results and Discussion Results indicated that with increasing salinity stress, leaf area, root, and shoot dry weight, chlorophyll content and shoot and root K uptake decreased, while carotenoids and shoot and root Na concentration increased. The highest and lowest value of leaf area, root, and shoot dry weight, chlorophyll content and shoot and root K uptake were observed in control and high salinity levels (10 dS m-1) treatments respectively. Application of potassium sulfate fertilizer at both levels (150 and 250 mg kg-1) led to a significant increase in leaf area (8.1 and 8.7 % respectively), root dry weight (21.2 and 20.0 %), shoot dry weight (21.3 and 19.9 %), total chlorophyll (10 and 7.8 %), carotenoids (32.2 % and 35.7), proline (21.1 and 14.4 %), root K concentration (44.1 and 56.2 %), shoot K concentration (11.0 and 26.9 %) and K uptake in root and shoot. in high salinity treatment seedlings showed higher Na+/K+ ratio in the roots than that of the shoots. In addition, application of potassium sulfate fertilizer decreased Na uptake in shoot and root. Moreover, the addition of potassium fertilizer increased K/Na ratio in the shoot and root. The results also indicated there were no significant difference between potassium sulfate fertilizer levels (150 and 250 mg kg-1) effects on investigated traits. Conclusion It could be concluded that application of potassium sulfate fertilizer results in reduce the negative effects of salinity stress and subsequently enhance tolerance to salinity stress and improved P. vera L. seedlings growth. Therefore, nutrient management of potassium can be considered for decline of negative effects of salinity in P. vera L. v. Badami-riz Zarand seedlings.
Soil Physics, Erosion and Conservation
Sahar Akhavan; Soheila Ebrahimi; Maryam Navabian; Mahmoud Shabanpour; Alireza Movahedi; Ali Mojtahedi
Abstract
Introduction Soil macropores are the prominent factor in the transfer of wastewater, fertilizers, and microorganisms, including fecal bacteria to deeper soils and even underground waters. On the other hand, a vast majority of land in Iran is located in arid and semi-arid regions. Therefore, the use of ...
Read More
Introduction Soil macropores are the prominent factor in the transfer of wastewater, fertilizers, and microorganisms, including fecal bacteria to deeper soils and even underground waters. On the other hand, a vast majority of land in Iran is located in arid and semi-arid regions. Therefore, the use of salty and unconventional waters has recently gained considerable importance. The aim of this study is to investigate the preferential transportation and storage of Escherichia coli (as an important bacterium in commonly used fertilizers) under the condition of saline water application. Materials and methods The laboratory studies were conducted in a preferential flow system with artificial macropores with different diameters (1 and 2 cm) and varying salinity treatments (1, 2 and 4 dsm-1) under a saturated flow condition. The leaching test was performed at 20°C within several phases. Microbial transfer tests were carried out in two phases with boundary conditions and flow velocities similar to the zero-phase condition. In order to evaluate the bacteria in the soil profile, after the end of the bacterial transfer test, the soil column was divided and cut into 3 layers. Two samples were collected from 3 depths and at macropore and matrix zones. The experiment was conducted in a factorial format and completely randomized design with three replications. The results showed that the mutual effect of salinity and macropore diameter was significant (at 5%) on mean output concentration (Cav), soil filtration coefficient (fλ), relative absorption index (SR), and maximal predicted depth of bacteria transfer (Zmax). Results The results indicated that the bacteria were affected by the treatments during the transfer, so that with increasing the salinity and reducing the diameter of macropores, the average bacterial concentration output decreased. The presence of macropores and the integrity of pores in a column with a diameter of 2 cm accelerated the bacterial movement and increased the pollutant outflow index due to high porosity; therefore, more bacteria passed (compared to the control column without macropores). The salinity treatment, however, served as an inhibitor and hindered further transmission of bacteria. Moreover, The macropore-free column with a salinity of 4 dsm-1 exhibited a higher refining coefficient (0.85 cfuml-1) compared to other treatments. A salinity treatment involving a 1 dsm-1 salinity and a pore diameter of 2 cm showed the least filtration coefficient (0.82 cfuml-1), so by doubling the ionic strength, 30% reduction can be seen in the bacterial filtration coefficient. Increasing the salinity up to 2 dsm-1 and decreasing the macropores diameter increased the relative absorption index. The macropore-free treatment with a 2 dsm-1 salinity showed the highest relative sorption index (0.92). Although the bacterial growth and mortality are unknown during the bacterial transfer process, according to the results, it is expected that the bacterial mortality rate increases by the salinity enhancement from 2 to 4 dsm-1 and the relative adsorption index reduction which may result in lower surface sorption. The significant treatment for the maximum predicted depth of bacterial transfer was the mutual effect of salinity and diameter at a probability level of 5%, which confirmed the significant impact of salinity on the bacterial filtration and transfer. The maximum depth of predicted bacterial transfer was obtained in the macropore-free treatment with the salinity of 1 dsm-1 (16.81 cm). The role of the underlying layers in the bacterial refinery seems to be more profound compared to the surface layer. Conclusion Overall, the results showed that the main source of transmission of bacteria is the preferential flow due to the macropore continuity. However, the salinity reduced the amount of bacterial refining by increasing the ionic strength of the soil solution. The salinity had a significant effect on the average output bacterial concentration, bacterial refining coefficient, relative sorption index, and maximum predicted bacterial transmission depth. The results of this study revealed that increased ionic strength of soil solution can enhance the bacterial refining and the further elimination of bacteria which can be effective in controlling the pollution of underground water by saline irrigation management. Regarding the quantitatively and qualitatively critical water status in the country, conditions can be provided for the use of unconventional water sources, without threatening the environment and contaminating the underground water.
Land Evaluation and Suitability
Anahid Salmanpour; Mohammad Hassan Salehi; Jahangard Mohammadi; Abdolmohammad Mehnatkesh; Sayyed-Hassan Tabatabaei
Abstract
Introduction One of the objectives of land evaluation method is determining the land suitability degree and class in case of making any changes, including causing elimination or limitation. Thus, as an example, if it could be possible to predict changes in soil salinity for the future, any changes in ...
Read More
Introduction One of the objectives of land evaluation method is determining the land suitability degree and class in case of making any changes, including causing elimination or limitation. Thus, as an example, if it could be possible to predict changes in soil salinity for the future, any changes in land suitability class can be investigated based on the predicted variations over time.The most important crops in Neyriz area are wheat and barley. Unfortunately, over the past two decades, improper agricultural management caused reduction and salinization of irrigation water in this region. To this end, the present study was performed to investigate the possibility of changes in the class or degree of land suitability in case of variations in soil electrical conductivity due to irrigation with saline water in Neyriz, for the next 10 years. Materials and Methods In three soil map units in three regions consisting of Deh-Fazel, Tal-Mahtabi and Nasir Abad, wheat and barley fields were selected and representative pedons were excavated, described and classified. Soil and water samples were obtained and necessary analyses and soil humidity and salinity, hydraulic conductivity and bulk density and water electrical conductivity were determined. Crop yields were evaluated by 1×1 quadrate, soil surface layer hydraulic conductivity was carried out by guelph permeameter and the volume of irrigation water was measured according to pipe discharge in each farm. Soil retention curve was calculated for all soil layers using sand box and pressure plate. van Genuchten equation parameters were gained using RETC software. Afterward, solute transport modeling was done using the software Hydrus and its results were validated using four statistical parameters including Coefficient of determination (R2), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Model efficiency (EF) and Coefficient of Residual Mass (CRM) to investigate the possible variation in soil salinity during the next 10 years, the data of the studied period of the crop year between 1392 and 1393 was repeated for 10 years. Qualitative and quantitative land evaluation was performed by standards methods. Finally, the Hydrus results were compared with salinity maps of Neyriz area which were calculated and obtained in the previous research from Landsat images bands for the past 20 years. Results and Discussion Based on the results, climate suitability class in Neyriz area was suitable (S1) for wheat and relatively suitable (S2) for barley. The limiting factor for barley was the average of maximum temperature in the coldest month for barley. The soil suitability class was suitable (S1) for both crops (wheat and barley) in all farms. Therefore, the land suitability in the studied farmlands was S1 for the wheat and S2 for the barley. Results also revealed that the values for potential production were 10723 and 8677.5 Kg(grain)ha-1 for wheat and barley and for critical production were 1167 and 1297.6 Kg(grain) ha-1 for wheat and barley, respectively in the farms. Amongst the farmlands, only a barley farm which was located in Tal-Mahtabi had the S1 quantitative suitability class and others had S2. The results also showed that if all other conditions like volume and the quality of the irrigation water, precipitation, temperature and evaporation remain constant over the next 10 years, land suitability class will not change but land suitability degree will decrease gradually over time. The validation of the Hydrus model, based on the RMSE values, revealed that the predicted soil salinity and the observed value were very similar and the model had good ability in estimating and modeling soil salinity in the studied area. Comparing the results of modeling and soil salinity maps over the last 20 years have confirmed this trend. Based on the satellite salinity maps, the soil salinity of the studied fields has increased slightly from 2 to 4 dSm-1 between the years 1374 and 1393. Hence it can be concluded that the prediction of Hydrus model about gradual rise in predicted soil salinity and land suitability degree during the next 10 years is acceptable. Conclusion The present study showed that climate and land suitability class in Neyriz area was suitable and relatively suitable for wheat and barley, respectively. Solute transport modeling showed that land suitability degree will decrease gradually and soil quality will decline over time by assuming constant irrigation and precipitation condition over the next 10 years. Therefore, preventing the expansion of soil salinity and degrading agricultural lands require serious considerations of the authorities in the crisis Managements.
Soil Physics, Erosion and Conservation
Vajiheh Dorostkar; Reyhane Vali
Abstract
Introduction Crop production in arid and semi arid regions especially in saline soils always has many problems. Soil low organic matter content is one of the limiting factors in arid condition. Incorporation of plant residues is a good strategy for increasing the soil organic carbon and consequently ...
Read More
Introduction Crop production in arid and semi arid regions especially in saline soils always has many problems. Soil low organic matter content is one of the limiting factors in arid condition. Incorporation of plant residues is a good strategy for increasing the soil organic carbon and consequently for improving soil physical quality (34). However, some studies have shown that addition of organic matter in to the soil can increase soil water repellency (17, 18). This study was conducted to investigate the effect of grape leaves and pomegranate peels on the soil structural stability and soil water repellency in different salinity levels. Materials and Methods The arable soil was collected from the soil surface layer (0–20 cm) of Bastam Agricultural Research field in Semnan province and passed through a 4 mm sieve. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with three treatments including plant residues type (Grape leaves and pomegranate peels), amount of plant residues (0, 2 and 5 g 100 g-1 soil ) and salinity (1.5, 7 and 15 dS m-1). Plant residues were collected from grape and pomegranate gardens and after drying, milled and passed through a 1 mm sieve. Plant residues were mixed with soil and salinity treatment was applied with calcium chloride salt. Pots were filled with mixture of saline soil and plant residues and incubated in the greenhouse for 50 days. The soil organic carbon, soil hot water and diluted acid carbohydrate, soil microbial basal respiration, water dispersible clay and soil water repellency were measured at the end of the experiment. Results and Discussion Pomegranate peels increased the soil organic carbon content and hot water and diluted acid carbohydrates more than the grape leaves (Table 5) due to greater C:N ratio and lower microbial decomposability (37). Soil microbial basal respiration was 15.5% lower in pomegranate peel treatments than grape leaves and (Table 5). Water dispersible clay decreased by increasing the amount of plant residues (Table 8). Soil organic carbon increased by the amount of plant residues. Soil organic carbon is an important factor in stability of soil aggregate and consequently decreases the soil water dispersible clay (7). Strong negative correlation between soil organic carbon and soil water dispersible clay can confirm these results. In addition, the soil carbohydrates are known as an important factor in stability of aggregate especially for macroaggregates (40). Salinity increment from 1.5 to 15 dS m-1 caused a reduction in water dispersible clay from 45.1 to 31.2 g kg-1 soil (Table 9). Calcium as a divalent cation is an important factor in soil structural stability and probably decreased the soil water dispersible clay (7). Soil repellency index was greater than 1.95 in all treatments and ranged from 2.3 and 5.9 in different treatments. These results indicated subcritical soil water repellency in soil. Soil water repellency index increased 38 and 67 percent in treatments with 2 and 5 g residues 100g-1 soil compared to control treatment (no residue) (Figure 3). In addition, soil hydrophobicity was 10% higher in the pomegranate peels treatments than in grape leaves treatments (Figure 4). Soil organic carbon and soil hot water and diluted acid extractable carbohydrates concentration increased by the plant residues addition. The soil organic components have a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic parts and the orientation of hydrophobic parts on the soil particle surface can make a repellent soil surface (6). Soil calcium (Ca+2) concentration increased by salinity. This divalent cation in the soil solution could act as a bridge between the soil particles and functional groups of dissolved organic matters. This bridge could facilitate covering of soil particles by hydrophobic compounds and make a more stable soil structure by flocculating soil particle at high salinity levels (7). The hydrophobic coatings on the soil surfaces increased the solid–liquid interfacial free energy (γsl) and decreased the solid surface free energy (γsg) as indirect effects of salinity on repellency. In addition, water entering into the soil immediately dissolved the soluble salts which had precipitated in the initially dry soil. There is some evidence showing that surface tension of water (γlg) increases with salts. Decrease of γsg and the increase of γsl and γlg might cause the repellency increment (43). Calcium bridge between soil particles could improve the soil structure with salinity increment. Increasing the SE by salinity in this study confirms this hypothesis. The soil SW depends on pore geometry and hydrophobic coating on soil particles, but the soil SE only depends on pore geometry. Thus, increasing the SE might be an indicator for better pores connection and stable structure (15). Conclusion Many grape leaves and pomegranate peels are produced in Iran every year. These plant residues are potentially a good source for increasing the soil organic carbon. Our results showed that incorporation of these plant residues in to the soil could increase the soil organic carbon and carbohydrate concentration and improve the soil aggregates stability. However incorporation of residues into the soil increased the soil water repellency. In addition salinity increment induced soil hydrophobicity. More detailed studies are needed to understand the positive or negative effects of this subcritical hydrophobicity development in saline soils.
M Alizadeh; M Chorom; N Enayatizamir
Abstract
Introduction: After salinity, drought is of the most common environmental stress for plants in the world and a significant proportion of natural ecosystems and agricultural world is located under salt stress. In general, preventing plant growth of salinity may be due to improper plant photosynthesis, ...
Read More
Introduction: After salinity, drought is of the most common environmental stress for plants in the world and a significant proportion of natural ecosystems and agricultural world is located under salt stress. In general, preventing plant growth of salinity may be due to improper plant photosynthesis, and stomata closure due to the limitation of carbon dioxide is absorbed. Previous studies have shown an increase in the electrical conductivity of the soil with microbial biomass, microbial respiration, and plant residue decomposition rate is negative. The results of studies have showed that the organic matter in soils with high salinity levels even with low vegetation can cause grow the microbial populations resistant to salinity, rapidly. Therefore, the increase residual plants enhance the activity of soil microbes which are beneficial to decompose and release carbon dioxide, nitrate and other ingredients. In arid and semi-arid lands soil organic matter in the soils is generally poor, because of the high temperature maintain and preserve organic matter in these soils is very difficult. Although the use of mineral fertilizers is apparently the faster way is to maintain soil fertility, but the high cost of fertilizer, and cause soil pollution and environmental degradation, is unfavorable act. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of plant residues on soil microbial characteristics such as carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus biomass influence on barley plant growth at different levels of soil salinity. Materials and Methods: To make salty soil 40 liters of salinity effluent collected with EC about 33.4 dS /m and after the initial analysis, was diluted and three levels of salinity (2, 4, 8 dS m) were created. After preparing the soil with 3 levels of salinity (2, 4, 8 dS/m), 2 types of debris from wheat straw and alfa alfa (2 levels, zero and 100 g per pot) with 3 replications (total of 36 pots) were prepared. After cultivation of barley seeds, the pots were irrigated. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design in a greenhouse. Wet pots were kept at 60 percent of field capacity and irrigation was done by weight. To evaluate the plant's response to the effects of crop residue added at the end of the experiment, after 60 days, shoot and root samples were collected. All samples of barley leaves and stems of the plants were collected two months after planting. The amount of chlorophyll by chlorophyll meter was measured manually by Spad units. Plant height was determined by ruler from the surface to the end of the cluster. For the measurement of pH and EC plant debris from shattered remnants extract ratio (1: 8) was used. Carbon and nitrogen biomass by fumigation extraction method was measured. Results and Discussion: Effect of salinity and crop residue application on barley plant height was significant at 1% level. But, there was no significant interaction between salinity and treated straw. The effect of wheat residue treatment was significant on plant height, but showed a decreasing trend with increasing salinity. Comparison of means of salinity levels showed the greatest reduction in leaf area in 3 salinity levels of the treated straw and the lowest was of the hay treatment. The comparison of means of salinity levels showed that the treated straw had the lowest chlorophyll compared to other treatments. The effect of the addition of plant residues in different levels of salinity on microbial biomass carbon was significant at 1% level. Adding mineralization of organic waste leads to increased precursor enzymes and microbial growth increases. The results showed that moderate amounts of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus microbial biomass was affected by increasing salinity in reverse. The amount of phosphorus added to the soil was deeply influenced by phosphorus ratio of carbon to biomass and biomass is phosphorus. P ratio of carbon to biomass increased by reducing the availability of phosphorus. Changes in the ratio of carbon to microbial biomass P refers to changes in microbial communities in soil. Reduced microbial biomass carbon in soils containing straw because of organic compounds toxic like phenols produced the soil micro-organisms. Increased alfalfa and crop residue as organic fertilizer to the soil salinization significantly affects the microbial biomass nitrogen. Comparison of the results showed that microbial biomass phosphorus in 3 salinity levels was, at 1%, significantly different from control and treatment straw and in between treatments; alfalfa treatment significantly increased microbial biomass phosphorus. Conclusion: The results indicated that salinity reduced height, leaf area and plant chlorophyll content of barley. Added plant residues at different levels of salinity, while increasing soil organic matter and soil microbial, somewhat affected the barley crop yields. This effect was different depending on the type and quality of plant residues. Hay debris due to available nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, reduced soil salinity, and crop yield was somewhat increased, but the impact of wheat residues was not observed on the plant atmosphere. The results also showed that with increasing salinity of soil, microbial indexes such as microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen was decreased.
Arezoo Mohammadi; Mohammad Bahmanyar; Mehdi Ghajar Sepanlou
Volume 36, Issue 1 , September 2013, , Pages 1-11
Abstract
Salinity limited plant growth and will decrease the yield with decrease in solution osmotic pressure, nutrient imbalance and toxicity of some specific elements. Application of amendment materials such as gypsum and cattle manure can adjust the undesirable effects and increase the nutrient elements in ...
Read More
Salinity limited plant growth and will decrease the yield with decrease in solution osmotic pressure, nutrient imbalance and toxicity of some specific elements. Application of amendment materials such as gypsum and cattle manure can adjust the undesirable effects and increase the nutrient elements in leaf and grain. In this regard a pot experiment was conducted during 2009 growing season based on split factorial with four replications in complete randomize design. In this experiment the main factor was inclusive different level of salinity in irrigation water {0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 dS/m as NaCl and CaCl2 (1:1 w/w)} and subsidiary factors were inclusive gypsum (0, 15 and 30 ton/ha) and the cattle manure (0 and 30 ton/ha). The results showed that increasing the salinity content of irrigation water causes reduce the amount of phosphorus and increase nitrogen and potassium in wheat leaves. Also, with increasing in salinity of irrigation water the amounts of phosphorus and potassium in grain decreased and the amount of nitrogen in grain increased. Application of gypsum increased the amounts of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium 6.31, 10.89 and 14.82 percent in leaves and the amounts of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium 10.32, 10.84 and 3.45 percent in grain, respectively. Using manure at different salinity treatments was significant affecting on the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in leaves and phosphorus and potassium in grain. The highest amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in leaves and grain were obtained using 15 and 30 tons of gypsum per ha while the highest amount of potassium in leaves and grain were obtained using 30 tons of gypsum per ha.
Volume 34, Issue 2 , March 2011, , Pages 69-84
Abstract
To study the effects of irrigation water salinity, nitrogen, and foliar application of calcium chloride on yield and growth indices of pepper, a factorial pot experiment was carried out in Znajan Agricultural Research Center in 2010 using a completely randomized design and three replications. In this ...
Read More
To study the effects of irrigation water salinity, nitrogen, and foliar application of calcium chloride on yield and growth indices of pepper, a factorial pot experiment was carried out in Znajan Agricultural Research Center in 2010 using a completely randomized design and three replications. In this experiment, four levels of nitrogen (0, 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg), four levels of salinity (0.7, 1.5, 3 and 6 dS/m) and two levels of foliar spray (with and without spray) were used. Analysis of variance showed that the effects of salinity were significant on yield, number of fruit, length and diameter of fruit, dry weights of root, plant height and dry weights of leaf and fruit, and these parameters decreased as the salinity levels increased. Yield and growth indices of pepper plant increased as the nitrogen levels increased, but fruit length and diameter were not affected by nitrogen application. Foliar application of calcium chloride was not effective on growth indices of pepper under saline conditions. But interactive effects of salinity and nitrogen was significant on plant yield. When the salinity levels of treatments were 0.7 or 1.5 dS/m, the plant yield increased as the nitrogen levels increased. However under the salinity levels of 3 dS/m, the plant yield increased when the nitrogen levels did not exceed 150 mg/kg. At higher salinity level (6 dS/m), application of nitrogen decreased the plant yield as compared to control.