Effect of compost and chemical fertilizer addition on improving calcareous soil properties in Ras sudr area

Abstract

Field experiment was carried out on a calcareous loamy sand soil at Ras Sudr Station, South Sinai Governorate, during two season successive in winter season of 2017/2018 cultivated by fennel plant (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and in summer season 2018 cultivated by pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.). The current work aims to asses effect of compost application as organic amendment at rates of 0, 5, 10, and 15 ton.fed-1 , recommended chemical fertilizer of each plant and their combination on soil physical and chemical properties and its productivity. A complete randomize plot design used with three replications of treatments under studied. The results showed that, application of compost and combination treatments (compost + recommended chemical fertilizer) were significantly decreased effected soil bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, EC, pH and SAR values after each of the first and the second seasons comparing to control. On contrary in case of the recommended chemical fertilizer did not affect of these parameters. Meanwhile soil available water, available N, P and K after each of the first and the second seasons and productivity of fennel plant and pearl millet respectively, were significantly increased. In addition, the results showed that, the affect of difference significantly of treatments under studied after the first season higher than after the second season on soil properties.