Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of applying rice husk biochar (RHB) or ground magnesium limestone (GML) in combination with bio-fertilizer on soil biochemical properties and the yield of rice planted on an acid sulfate soil. The RHB or GML plus bio-fertilizer were applied each at the rate of 4 t ha−1. Applying the amendments increased soil pH (>5.0) and improved soil biochemical properties with a concomitant reduction of Al and Fe that resulted in enhanced rice growth. Applying GML plus bio-fertilizer resulted in increased soil N content (0.20%), available P (34.38 mg kg−1), exchangeable Ca (2.97 cmolc kg−1) and exchangeable Mg (2.45 cmolc kg−1); all these enhanced rice nutrient uptake. The highest bacterial population of 8.34 log10 CFU g−1 soil was found in the same treatment. Applying GML and RHB alone, or in combination with bio-fertilizer, was found to enhance rice growth and the yield. The highest plant height (90.33 cm), leaf chlorophyll content (38.05), plant tiller numbers (16), filled grains (86%), number of panicles per plant (18), lengths of panicles (24.40 cm), grain (5.24 t ha−1), straw yield (10.20 t ha−1) and harvest index (0.51) were determined in the GML plus bio-fertilizer, followed by RHB plus bio-fertilizer treatment. Thus, GML applied in combination with bio-fertilizer is considered as a promising agronomic package to sustain the production of rice planted on acid sulfate soils.
Highlights
The recent proliferation of world population and the increased demand for food force farmers to utilize the available marginal soil/land for rice production such as acid sulfate soils found in the tropics
The current study was undertaken to determine the effects of applying ground magnesium limestone or rice husk biochar, with or without bio-fertilizer addition, on the improvement of soil bio-chemical properties and the yield of rice planted on an acid sulfate soil in Peninsular Malaysia
The application of ground magnesium limestone (GML) alone resulted in higher pH (5.39) compared to that of the rice husk biochar (RHB) (5.18)
Summary
The recent proliferation of world population and the increased demand for food force farmers to utilize the available marginal soil/land for rice production such as acid sulfate soils found in the tropics. This is because more and more fertile land normally allocated for rice cultivation is converted to other land uses, e.g., urbanization and industrial production. A new mineral called jarosite [KFe3 (SO4 ) (OH)6 ] is formed in the soils The environment makes it possible for the generation of Al3+ and Fe2+ , which affect rice growth and/or production negatively if present at a high concentration. Acid sulfate soils have the potential to be utilized for sustainable rice production provided that their low fertility is alleviated via agronomic means
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