Effects of Zeolite, Compost and Unisal on Growth and Elemental Composition of Barley (Hordeum sp.) Plants Irrigated With Saline Water

Document Type : Original Article

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Soil and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Saba Basha,Alexandria University, Egypt.

Abstract

Soil salinity is a major abiotic factor limiting crop production but an amendment with compost, zeolite or
unisal may mitigate the effects of salinity stress on plants.
The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of compost, zeolite and unisal on growth of barley plant irrigated with diluted seawater. Barley was the grown on a calcareaus soil treated with compst, zeolite and unisal at the rates of 0 , 4, 8 and 12 % and irrigated with seawater diluted to electrical conductivity (EC) levels of 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 dS m-1 while tap water was as the control (EC = 0.44 dS/m. Irrigation with 5.0 and 7.5 dS m-1 saline waters significantly suppressed fresh and dry weight of barely plants. However, a substantial increase in plant biomass of salt stressed barley was observed with the three
amendments followed the order, compost > unisal > unisal.
The application of compost, zeolite or unisal also enhanced K+, Ca+2 and Mg+2 absorption and decreased Na+, Cl-and SO4= in barely shoot. Post-harvest soil analysis showed high EC values of soil due to saline water irrigation but concentrations were lower in soils treated with the tested amendments especially zeolite. The overall results indicated that soil amendment with compost or zeolite could effectively ameliorate salinity stress and improve nutrient balance barley plant grown on a calcareous soil.

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