Yield Response of Chinese Cabbage to Compost, Gypsum, and Phosphate Treatments under the Saline-sodic Soil Conditions of Reclaimed Tidal Land

Abstract

Salt stress in crops in reclaimed tidal lands can be reduced by applying soil amendments. To evaluate the effects of compost, gypsum, and phosphate on the growth of Chinese cabbage in saline-sodic soil conditions, we conducted a pot experiment in 2013 and 2014. The treatments consisted of a standard fertilizer application of a mix of compost and N-P-K fertilizer (S) and standard fertilizer applications with additional compost (S + C), gypsum (S + G), phosphate (S+P), and gypsum and phosphate (S + GP). The mean dry matter yield of cabbage in 2014 was three times as great as that in 2013, although soil EC (Electrical conductivity) in 2014 was not decreased. However, the mean ratio of sodium ion in soil solution (SAR1:5) significantly decreased from 17.3 ± 1.1 in 2013 to 11.2 ± 2.7 in 2014. Application of gypsum had the greatest positive impact on the growth of Chinese cabbage. The S + G treatment increased dry matter yield by 7.0 (48.2) and 7.9 g/plant (16.6%) in 2013 and 2014, respectively, compared to the S treatment. Applying gypsum increased soil EC, but decreased SAR1:5 by 14 and 38% in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The application of compost and phosphate had a small effect on the growth of Chinese cabbage. These results suggest that applying gypsum in reclaimed tidal lands can reduce the sodicity of the soil and improve crop growth.