ISHS Acta Horticulturae 573: International Symposium on Techniques to Control Salination for Horticultural Productivity
USE OF SOIL CONDITIONERS UNDER SALINE IRRIGATION: EFFECT OF WHEAT |
| Authors: | A. Hamdy, P. Sfeir |
| Keywords: | Wheat, saline irrigation, soil conditioner |
| Abstract:
This experiment is one of the primary trials to investigate the use of soil conditioner as a management tool for irrigation with saline water. The trial was conducted to elucidate the impact of using “Barbary Plant G2” soil conditioner in different ratios (control, 10, 20 and 30 g l-1 soil) along with 4 levels of saline irrigation (0.9, 3, 6 and 9 dS m-1) on the wheat plant growing parameters as well as its yield. The obtained results showed that the soil conditioner strongly interferes with plant normal development, yielding better in terms of quantity and quality. The presence of the conditioner improves the development of both the root and vegetative part giving wheat plants of more or less equal shoot/root ratio. This was reflected in the final yield, particularly under irrigation with waters of relatively high salt concentration (9 dS m-1) where grain production was nearly three times greater than that recorded in the absence of the soil conditioner and irrigation practised with freshwater (0.9 dS m-1). Under saline irrigation practices, mixing the soil with the BP polymer resulted in a notable increase in the grain yield; yet, such improvement was not achieved with the accumulated salts in the soil. The mechanisms through which these polymers do act are not very well clarified. Their secure handling would call for further studies, including more peculiar parameters that could specifically illustrate the polymer mechanisms of action. A better understanding of such polymetric compounds will facilitate the use of waters of marginal quality and will further open the way to new agriculture intensification with safer, more economic and higher productive expectations. | |
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