Effect of Irrigation with Diluted Seawater on Coriander Growth and Soil Properties of Sandy Soil Amended by Chicken Manure and Biochar

Abstract

Salt stress is abiotic stress that limits plant growth, crop productivityas well as the main factor contributing to land degradation. This study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative effect of chicken manure and biochar applications used as soil amendments inalleviating the adverse effects of saline water irrigation on plant attributes and macro nutrients uptake by coriander (Coriandrum sativum) plant grown on a sandy textured soil. The ameliorative effect of soil amendments was also evaluated on the properties of the soil and nutrients availability for the plant. For this purpose, a pot experiment was conducted on coriander plant at The Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. A split plot design with three replications was used during the spring season of 2016. Treatments were the combination of two types of organic amendments (chicken manure and biochar) and three saline irrigation water treatments, .i.e. non-saline water (control) (S0 = 0.45 dS m-1) and saline water (S1= 3.12 dS m-1, 5% and S2 = 6.25 dS m-1, 10%) irrigation. Obtained results showed that soil productivity, as indicated by the vegetative growth and physiological aspects (plant height, leaves fresh and dry weight, no. of leaves/plant and total chlorophyll) for coriander plant were adversely and significantly affected by saline water irrigation. Addition of chicken manure and biochar significant increased the vegetative growth and physiological parameters due to their ameliorative effect. It had been observed a significantly increased in plant N, P and K contents and uptake by plant due to the addition of chicken manure and biochar amendments under saline and non-saline water irrigation compared to unamended one. The contents and uptake of N, P and K in coriander leaves decreased significantly as salinity of irrigation water increased from (S0) to (S2). Soil pH and EC values increased significantly in saline water irrigation treatments (S1 and S2) compared to non-saline water (S0). Soil pH and EC values decreased in soil amended with chicken manure and biochar application under three water types. The reduction in EC values in soil amended with biochar was higher than those in soil amended with chicken manure under all salinity levels. While, the reduction in soil pH values in soil amended with chicken manure was higher than those in soil amended with biochar. Soil available Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations increased with increases in irrigation water salinity, while available P and Zn concentrations were decreased. Soluble Na+ significantly decreased but K+, Ca2+ and  Mg2+ increased as a result of amendments application under three water types used. Soil P and Zn availability increased after applying different soil amendments, the concentration of available P in chicken manure amended soil was higher than those in biochar amended soil. While, available Zn concentration in biochar amended soil was higher than unamended one. In conclusion, chicken manure and biochar added to soil as amendments have the potential to mitigate the negative effects of salt stress mainly related to their ability to improve soil physio-chemical properties, promote vegetative growth of coriander plant, increases soil content of organic matter and available nutrient uptake.