Effect of Different Soil Salinity Levels on Some Soil Properties and Wheat Plant

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted under the green house condition at Fac. of Agric., Mansoura Univ. to investigate effects of different soil salinity levels on some soil properties and wheat plant (Triticum aestivum L). Four soil salinity levels were assessed with two kind of salinity,(0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0%) using NaCl and (NaCl +CaCl2 1:1), comparing to control (soil with soil salinity level of 0.2 %) on the studied traits. The results could be summarized as follows:  The high soil salinity led to an increase in EC, pH, the concentration of soluble ions and SAR of soil. Also it led to increase in exchangeable sodium and ESP in the soil but the increase was more with treatment of NaCl. Exchangeable calsium increased with increasing salinity level with using (NaCl +CaCl2 1:1) while decreased with using NaCl in salinization the soil.  The increase of soil salinity increased bulk density and soil saturation , but this increase was more for treatments salinized by (NaCl 100%). On the other hand, it decreased soil porosity and soil structure factor.  The increase of salinity levels decreased the final germination percentage, fresh weight and dry weight of wheat at boating stage. Also it decreased water consumption by wheat.  The increase of salinity levels decreased the N, P, K, Ca content (%) and uptake by wheat. On the other hand, it increased Na content (%) and decreased Na uptake by wheat.