Nader R. Habashy and Nadia M. Hemeid( 2011). Effects Of Elemental Sulphur And Partial Substitution Of N-Mineral Fertilizer By
Organic Amendments On Some Properties Of Slight Saline Soils
Journal of Applied Sciences Research, 7(12): 2102-2111, 2011
ISSN 1819-544X
Abstract: A field experiment was conducted on a slightly saline and alkaline sandy loam soil located at a newly reclaimed area of El Fayoum district, El Fayoum Governorate, (29° 21′ 48″ N 30° 44′ 45″ E), during the growing summer season of 2010. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of partial substitution of the recommended N-mineral dose for organic manure (farmyard manure and poultry manure) and elemental sulphur on maize (Zea maze, variety of single cross Giza, 15 hybrid) yield and its quality as related to the achieved amelioration of some soil properties. So, this cientific study represents a new strategy for understanding the best usage of local soil amendments (i.e., organic manure and elemental sulphur), under demand for agricultural utilization. In addition, it is considered a huge challenge and technical solution for alleviating the possible adverse effects on human health through environmental risks as a result of excessive use of the nitrogenous fertilizers as well as to support the technique of organic agriculture. To achieve this target, maize was sown under the aforementioned soil conditions and treatments applied solely or in combined ones. The N-mineral fertilizer, organic manure and the elemental sulphur were applied at the rates of 80 % of N-recommended dose (NRD) in form of ammonium sulphate (20.6 % N), 8 m3 fed-1 and 200 kg S fed-1 respectively, comparing with the control treatment of 100 % NRD (120 kg N fed-1). The obtained results showed that the studied plant parameters of maize under investigation such as vegetative growth characters after 75 days from planting (i.e. ,
plant height, leaf area, height of ear from ground surface and nutrients content in maize leaves) andat harvest, weight of 100 grains and grain & stover yields fed-1 and grain quality (i.e. andcrude protein, oil, carbohydrate and nutrient contents) recorded the greatest values at the two combined treatments of (80 % N-RD + 8 m3 fed-1 farmyard manure + 200 kg fed-1 elemental sulphur) and (80 % N-RD + 8 m3 fed-1 poultry manure + 200 kg fed-1 elemental sulphur), with a significant superiority for the later one with insignificant difference between them. These beneficial effects are more attributed to the achieved soil amelioration in the values of ECe, pH and ESP
as well as released nutrients from either native source or applied organic manure, which supported the aforementioned maize parameters. So, it could be recommended that organic manure and elemental Sulphur should be used to face a great problem of either soil salinity or excessive N-mineral use for the tested maize.This approach represents a new strategy in agriculture field that has a long-term positive agronomic value and an effective practice of nutrient management, and in turn affects the country's economy and its development. That is true, since it is not considered only an ideal solution to meet the excessive nitrogenous fertilizers demand, but also reduce the potential hazardous contamination of both surface and natural underground waters.
Keywords: (Saline soil, N-mineral, organic manure, elemental sulphur, salt tolerant.)
