Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture Engineering, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt
2
Soil and Water Sciences department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt
3
agriculture research center, Ministry of agriculture
4
soil and water department, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Egypt
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted in Toshka project located in the south part of Egypt. The study is implemented to evaluate the effect of tillage with or without gypsum application under pivot system on plant growth parameters and water relationship of hibiscus plant. Two successive seasons with the application of four treatments: a surface tillage (ST), deep tillage (DT), surface tillage with gypsum (ST+G), and deep tillage with gypsum application (ST+G) were performed. Measurements of yield components, moisture content constants (Saturation percent (SP), Field Capacity (FC), Wilting Point (WP) and Available Water AW), Consumption Use (CU), Irrigation Water Productivity (IWP), Crop Water Productivity (CWP) and total N, P, K in straw and grain in addition to available N, P, K in soil. The best treatment for plant growth parameters (dry almonds weight, weight of 1000 seeds and plant height) was ST+G treatment followed by DT+G treatment. In contrast the lowest plant growth parameters were surface tillage treatment (ST). Soil moisture constant (SP%, FC%, PW% and AW%) increased under ST+G treatment followed by DT+G treatment. Application of gypsum beside tillage practices increased crop water production and irrigation water productivity. In addition, it improved soil nutrient availability and hence increased total nutrient (N, P and K) in straw and yield contents. It could be concluded that surface tillage practices with addition of gypsum amendment enhance some soil physical, chemical characteristics and nutrient availability. So, it could be recommended to use surface tillage practice beside gypsum amendment for best management in Toshka area to enhance soil properties, water holding capacity and plant productivity.
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