The hypothesis is that incorporating saline soil with biochar or compost reduces the deteriorating effects of salinity. The pot experiment was irrigated with waters with different salinities (4.5 and 9 dS m-1) and a silty clay soil in pots was thoroughly mixed with 1.5% w/w of biochar, 1.5% w/w of municipal solid waste compost and the mixtures of 0.5 × 0.5% w/w of the two mentioned substances. Irrigation was provided to realize 0.15 leaching fractions for equilibrating the soil salinity. Soil and plants were analysed after two months (T1) and three months (T2) after sowing. Saline irrigation water decreased SAR (~45%) and SOC (~5.5%), respectively for T2 compared with T1. The biochar treatment reduced the amount of ECe in T1 and T2. Both irrigating with saline water and amendments greatly changed the amount of leaf water potential (LWP), chlorophyll and proline leaf. LWP and proline were increased by 17 and 76%, respectively, with increasing irrigation water salinity, while the leaf chlorophyll content was significantly decreased (~52%). The overall finding was that incorporating the saline soil of the region with biochar showed more potential to enhance soil properties and sorghum production.
Rhizophosphate bacteria as biofertilizers is a low-cost and environment-friendly fertilizer for improving the nutrients status and fertilizers' efficiency on degraded agricultural or marginal soils. In this study, the characteristic and performance of selected rhizophosphate bacteria producing phytohormone and organic acid producers was investigated. Soils samples for beneficial rhizobacteria were taken from five maize ( Zea mays L.) production area and forest ecosystems in Garut District, West Java Province, Indonesia. The rhizophosphate bacteria were isolated and grown in Pikovskaya medium. Bacterial colonies surrounded by clear zone were isolated and subjected to phosphate solubility and phosphatase activity test followed by bioassay. Based on the phosphatase activity, lactic acid production and indole acetic acid (IAA) production were obtained from three isolates of rhizophosphate. The isolates were identified as Bulkholderia vietnamiensis , Enterobacter ludwigii , and Citrobacter amalonaticus the best of which showed high phosphatase content and production of lactic acid, dissolved P and IAA.
Utilization of halotolerant nitrogen biofertilizer can increase N uptake and promote growth and yield of rice plants in saline ecosystem. Halotolerant nitrogen biofertilizer can be applied to seed and seedling in certain dosage. The aim of this study was to obtain the application technique and dosage that can increase N uptake and promote growth and yield of rice plants in saline ecosystem. The research was conducted in the greenhouse in Kawarang District (Indonesia) from September until November 2020. There was used randomized block design which consisted of two factors with three replications. The first factor was application techniques, i.e. seed treatment, nursery treatment, and seed + nursery treatment. The second factor was dosage of halotolerant nitrogen biofertilizer, i.e. 0, 500, 1,000, 1,500 and 2,000 g ha-1. The results showed that halotolerant nitrogen biofertilizer applied in seed and nursery treatment can increase N uptake and plant height by 3.95 g plant-1 and 34.50 cm, respectively. Dosage of 1,500 g ha-1 can increase the total N of soil (0.26%), chlorophyll content (46.97 SPAD), photosynthate accumulation (3.33 g), and rice yield (13.40 t/ha). Application of halotolerant nitrogen biofertilizer in seed and nursery technique at a dosage of 1,500 g ha-1 can be further recommendation in rice cultivation on saline ecosystems.
Salinity intrusion worldwide is a problem of consideration for the global food production and ensuring food security. In this investigation, we focused to find out the key chemical elements for this salinity problem. In this paper, the authors reported the high accumulation of sodium (Na + ) and increased EC (6.9 dS/m) values than that of the previous year (4.67 dS/m). We found the highest EC, Na +, and ESP of 6.9 ds/m, 2.6 meq/100 g of soil, and 19.1%, respectively at Dumki, Potuakhali. The highest increase of exchangeable Na + was found in Tojumuddin, Bhola. The result is 55% more when compared to the previous investigated result. Contrary to the Na + increase, we found an 84-91% decrease of the organic matter (OM) in the investigated samples. The excessive increase of exchangeable Na + and decrease of OM in this investigation indicate the salinity intrusion and low nutrient content in the coastal soils of Bangladesh.
Soils are obviously inconstant and their properties are changing across land use types. Essential soil physico-chemical assets impact the performance of soil and, therefore, information on soil property is important. The objective of the study was to determine effects of different land use systems on soil physico-chemical properties in Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from three different land uses, enset ( Ensete ventricosum ), tef ( Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) and grass lands. Each replicated three times and the composite sample was taken. All the properties are significantly different and determined using appropriate methods. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, texture, organic matter and phosphate in soil were determined experimentally to study the effects of land use on them. Changes in soil properties in dissimilar land usage forms at two pits (0–15 and 15–30 cm) were detected on various soil properties signifiant to crop growth. Enset filds had higher pH (5.80), electrical conductivity (EC (0.14 ds/m)), available P (35.25%) and Zn (8.64 mg/kg), exchangeable K (3.12 Cmol(+Kg) which is ascribed due to the input of dung, while tef fields had lowest average K (1.38 cmol (+kg) and Mg (1.89 cmol(+kg), cation exchange capacity (CEC (20.21 cmol(+kg)), total N (0.13%) and OC (1.76%). Most of the physico-chemical properties of the study region were significantly influenced by the different land uses. The evidence derived from the current study will support in mounting maintainable and environmentally constant land use management strategies for the study region. Consequently, supplementary comprehensive studies that include soil characterization and field experiment on crop nutrient requirement should be conducted to test the effect of land use forms on soil physico-chemical properties in terms of sustainable use of the land.
