Effect of Moringa Residues on Nutrients Availability and Wheat Production in Sandy and Calcareous Soils

Abstract

Using organic substances i.e. Moringa oleifera residues (MOR) as soil conditioners is an important management strategy that can improve and uplift soil-quality properties and alter the nutrient cycling through mineralization or immobilization. Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of MOR i.e. leaves (ML) and meal seed (MMS) at a rate of 5, 10 and 15 Mg ha-1 on soil pH, available N, P and K content during various incubation periods as well as yield and nutrient uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum L cv., Sakha 93) plants grown on sandy and calcareous soils. Soil pH values decreased with increasing application rates of MOR at different periods in the two tested soils. Soil pH values were lower with addition of MMS residues treatment than with ML. The highest values of available N, P and K were found in the tested soils when treated with 15 Mg ha-1 of MMS followed by 15 Mg ha-1 of ML at different periods. While the lowest ones were obtained with untreated soils followed by 5 Mg ha-1 ML. Available N was showed a highest increase after 90 days of incubation for the sandy soil and after 120 days for calcareous soil under application of MOR. Available P and K contents were increased gradually up to 120 days and then decreased for the two soils. The highest values of yield, biological yield, 1000-grain weight, protein content, straw and grain yields as well as N, P and K uptake of wheat were found in the tested soils owing to treated with15 Mg ha-1 of MML followed by 15 Mg ha-1 of ML.