Management of Low-Quality Water on Marginal Salt-Affected Soils with Wheat and Sesbania Crops

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at Proka Farm, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, to evaluate the growth response of sesbania and wheat crops to brackish water management strategies on salt-affected soils. Four treatments were replicated three times in a randomized complete-block design: Tube well water (TW) alone; TW + gypsum @ 50% soil gypsum requirement (SGR); TW + gypsum @ 100% SGR; and TW + gypsum @ 100% water gypsum requirement (WGR). Addition of gypsum improved infiltration rate and bulk density of soil. The greatest percent decreases in pHs, electrical conductivity (ECe), and sodium absorption rate (SAR) were observed with TW + G @ 100% WGR followed by TW + G @ 100% SGR, TW + G @ 50% SGR, and TW alone. The incorporation of sesbania increased the cation exchange capacity and organic matter, which were greatest with TW + G @ 100% WGR, and the same treatment decreased maximum lime content. The greatest grain and straw yields were recorded with TW + G @ 100% WGR, which significantly differed from other treatments. Maximum net benefit (Rs. ha−1) was obtained with TW + G @ 100% WGR and the lowest was obtained with TW. It was concluded that gypsum @ 100% WGR remained more effective for improving wheat yield and soil health.