Deshesh T. H. M. A., A. A. Akl and Faten A. A. El – Kamar( 2019). Influence of some natural soil conditioners under different levels of mineral nitrogen on sandy soil properties and maize productivityMenoufia J. Soil Sci., Vol. 4 December (2019) : 261 – 274
Abstract: A field experiment was carried out on a sandy soil of the Experimental Station of Agric. Rese. Center (ARC), Ismailia Governorate, Egypt to study the effects of using some crop residues as a natural soil conditioners on some physical properties i.e., bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, field capacity, wilting point and available water and chemical properties (pH, EC and the content of O.M) and available N, P and K as well as the productivity of (Zea mays L. c.v., Triple hybrid 324).The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The three sources of soil conditioners were: sawdust (S), rice straw (RS) and maize stalks (MS) at rate of 2.5 g O.C/ kg soil. Also of two rates of nitrogen mineral 5 % and 10% over the N Recommended dose (300 kg/fed which added as ammonium sulfate (21% N). Obtained results can be summarized as follows:
In compare with non conditioned soil (control), the studied physical properties of the sandy soil were improved significantly with the application of all conditioners (S, RS and MS) as a resulted in a decreases in both bulk density and hydraulic conductivity where caused an increase of field capacity, wilting point and available water content. The values of pH and EC were decreased with addition of organic soil conditioners and also, the content of available N, P and K increased significantly with the use of organic conditioners (S, RS and MS) especially, with high rate of mineral nitrogen N (10%) over recommended dose. Moreover sawdust treatment had more effect on the soil content of available N, P and K compared with the other soil conditioners. Plant height of maize and its straw and grains yields increased significantly with the application of soil conditioners (S, RS and MS) with N fertilizer at rates of 5% and 10% compared with the control treatments.
Keywords: (Physical and Chemical properties, Sand soil, Soil conditioners, Nitrogen fertilizer, Macronutrients availability, Zea maize.)
