Effects of municipal solid waste compost, rice-straw compost and mineral fertilisers on biological and chemical properties of a saline soil and yields in a mustard–pearl millet cropping system

Abstract

We investigated the effects of organic amendments, municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and rice-straw compost (RSC) with and without mineral fertilisers on biological and chemical properties of a saline soil. Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years during 2012–14. In the first year, application of 8tha–1 of MSWC+50% of the recommended dose of fertilisers (RDF) resulted in higher microbial biomass carbon (MBC), enzyme activities, soil organic carbon (SOC), available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) than 7tha–1 of RSC+50% RDF, after mustard (Brassica juncea) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) harvests. Combined use of 8tha–1 of MSWC+50% RDF resulted in 47% and 54% more MBC than the unfertilised control after mustard and pearl millet harvests, respectively. Dehydrogenase activity was significantly higher with 100% RDF than the control after 2 years of the cropping cycle. Among organic amendments, MSWC was superior to RSC in terms of MBC, and activities of dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and urease. SOC was significantly increased under MSWC+50% RDF compared with 100% RDF alone. Significant build-up of soil fertility in terms of available N, P and K was observed with RSC+50% RDF compared with the control. During the second year of the cropping system, soil treated with RSC+50% RDF had 14%, 17% and 9% higher N, P and K than soil treated with 100% RDF, after pearl millet harvest. The magnitude of change in soil electrical conductivity and pH was low during 2012–13; however, soil salinity decreased by 55% and 48% with MSWC+50% RDF and RSC+50% RDF, respectively, relative to the control at 120 days of pearl millet growth in 2013–14. Application of MSWC +50% RDF produced 2.5 and 2.70tha–1 of mustard and pearl millet, and increased grain yield by 19% and 15%, respectively, compared with 100% RDF. Integrated use organic amendments and mineral fertiliser is recommended for promoting biological and chemical properties of saline soil in a mustard–pearl millet cropping system.

Effects of biochar and peat on salt-affected soil extract solution and wheat seedling germination in the Yellow River Delta

“…Moreover, plant growth is inhibited by excessive salts, especially during the germination and seedling stage. High salt levels cause higher osmotic pressure of the soil solution, difficulty in water absorption, ion toxicity, and ion imbalance, which further reduces nutrient uptake (Amini et al 2016;Meena et al 2016).…”

Suitable management options to improve the productivity of rice cultivars under salinity stress

“…Decreases in water resources due to climate change, extreme temperatures and soil salinity are serious problems in arid and semi-arid regions (Yu et al 2010;Meena et al 2016a). Soil salinity is a common abiotic constraint that affects crop productivity in these regions, especially those located in coastal zones (Meena et al 2016b).…”

Effect of zinc enriched farm yard manures on yield of mung bean and Physico-Chemical Properties of soil

“…Farmyard manure and compost are organic sources of nutrients that also have been shown to increase soil organic matter and enhance soil quality (Meena et al, 2016) It is well known that organic amendments, such as plant residues, farm yard manures and composts have a number of benefits in soil physical and chemical properties (Meena and Biswas, 2013). The poor recovery of zincby crops necessitates the adoption of improved techniques like use of synthetic chelates.…”