Exploring the Potential Options on Salt Affected Soil Management for Crop Production at North Delta Soils, Egypt

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate in salt affected soils during two summer seasons 2014 and 2015. The study aims at investigating the effect of soil multi-amendments combined with different sources of nitrogen on soil properties, yield and water relations. The experiments were carried out in randomized complete block design with four replicates. The results showed that the application of gypsum combined with ammonia gas and farm manure produced the highest grain and straw yield of rice. While the lowest values were obtained from application of gypsum and ammonia gas. At the same time, the application of gypsum and established mole drain combined with injection of ammonia gas, farm manure and bio fertilizer resulted in pronounced increments for the studied plant growth parameters. Also, the highest value of crop water productivity was obtained from application of gypsum, injection of ammonia gas and farm manure. While the lowest one was obtained with application of gypsum combined with ammonia gas in 2014 season and control in 2015 season. In conclusion with most summarized chart, application of gypsum, construction of mole drain at 4 m spacing and 50 cm depth combined with injection of ammonia gas, farm manure and bio fertilizer achieved the highest yield of rice grain and straw, water productivity and nitrogen use efficiency.