Effect of Organic Acids, Calcium Humate and Bio-fertilizers Application on some Soil Properties and Yield Productivity under Saline Soil Conditions

Abstract

The use of organic acids, calcium humate (Ca-H) and cyanobacteria are among the soil conditioners which may be regarded a specific management strategy for enhancing saline soil properties, which can negatively impact crop yield. A field experiment was conducted in saline soil of Sahl EL-Hussynia farm, Agric. Res. Station in EL-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Rice crop (Oryza sativa Giza 178) was cultivated during summer season and wheat crop (Triticum sativa cv Giza 168) during winter season to study the effectiveness of different organic acids (salicylic, citric, ascorbic, and tartaric) and Ca-H as well as inoculation with or without cyanobacteria to enhance the chemical properties of salt-affected soil and the productivity of the rice and wheat crops system, as well as the total nutrient content. Results indicated that electric conductivity (EC) and soil reaction (pH) decreased inversely to organic matter content (OM) and yield components as well as their nitrogen and potassium (NK) content application of the studied treatments as compared to control at two seasons. Moreover, sodium adsorption ratios (SAR) decreased with the application of the applied treatments. However, salicylic acid (SA) was superior in the presence of calcium humate as compared to other organic acids or control treatments. In contrast, rice and wheat yields (straw and grains) as well as their total content of macronutrients (N and K) increased considerably in response to applied SA and Ca-H and inoculation with cyanobacteria in comparison to other treatments and/or the control treatment during both seasons studied. In conclusion, application of organic acids, especially SA in combination with Ca-H and inoculation with cyanobacteria improved the chemical properties of saline soil, which were reflected in the yield components of rice and wheat crops as well as the total macronutrient content under experimental conditions.