Comparison of the effect of Cow manure, Vermicompost, and Azolla on safflower growth in a saline-sodic soil

Abstract

ABSTRACTSoil salinity and sodicity are two important factors in land degradation, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Application of soil amendments, such as organic matter, can be a suitable method for improving the fertility of saline-sodic soils. In this research, a saline-sodic soil was chosen, mixed with three levels of 1%, 3%, and 5% (weight) of Cow manure, Vermicompost, and Azolla, and incubated for 5 months at field capacity and a temperature of 20°C. Then, safflower seeds were planted and treatments were placed in a greenhouse for two months. After this period, plant indices were measured. The results showed that the addition of treatments caused differences in safflower growth in comparison to the control treatment. The noted differences were mostly negative for the treatment of cow manure, they were negligible for Azolla, and were positive for Vermicompost. Vermicompost applied at 5% level provided the most suitable substrate for safflower growth in saline-sodic soil.