Field experiments were conducted on clay loam soil during two successive seasons. Summer season 2017 using maize plants and winter season 2017/2018 using barley plants at El-Gemmeiza Agricultural Research Station, El-Gharbia Governorate, to evaluate the effect and residual effects of compost rates placed in moles 30 cm depth, arranged in parallel orientation with respect to one another and spaced at 3 m apart or placed on the surface soil layers besides the nitrogen fertilizer rates on improving soil physical and hydrophysical properties. Furthermore, economical analysis was done by calculating the net income for every treatment to determine the economical value. The rates of compost were 0.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 t fed. -1 , while the nitrogen rates were 0.0, 50, 75 and 100 % of the recommended dose for every growing crop. The experiments were conducted in split-split plot arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Results can be summarized as follows:-1-Soil penetration resistance significantly decreased with increasing the addition rates of compost and depths. 2-The soil bulk density (Db) significantly decreased under different compost rates and depths, while total soil porosity (E) and void ratio (e) took the opposite trend. 3-The settling percentage of the soil was significantly decreased with increasing of compost rates and depths, indicating a higher degree of structural stability. 4-The values of pore size distribution (large, medium and micro pores as a percent of total porosity) were significantly increased in the two growing seasons. 5-Soil hydraulic conductivity (Kh) and soil moisture content, i.e., saturation percent (SP), water field capacity (FC), wilting point (WP), available water (AW) and soil moisture content just before harvesting (θw) were significantly increased for the two seasons, with increasing the rates of compost. 6-Water consumption (Cu) was decreased and water use efficiency (WUE) was increased in all treatments of the two seasons. 7-Cost benefit analysis revealed that the most valuable treatment was adding compost (5.0 t fed. -1 ) in 30 cm mole depth with 100 % of the recommended dose of nitrogen fertilizer for each crop, since it gave the highest net income. 8-From the above results, it is more useful to use of compost filled moles with different rates and nitrogen fertilizers to markedly improve both physical and hydro physical properties under clay loam soil.
Two field experiments were conducted on clayey soil during the two seasons (winter 2017/2018 using wheat and summer 2018 using maize) at El-Gemmeiza Agricultural Research Station, El-Gharbia Governorate to evaluate some natural organic amendments on improving some soil chemical properties and macronutrients status (N PK) and their availability for plants. Furthermore, economical analysis was done to determine the economical treatment. The experiments were designed in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Thirteen treatments having different compost, farmyard manure and sheep manure were used to cover all possible combinations as well as control (without any addition). The results were shown in a triangle diagram using a special computer program. Results can be summarized as follows: All treatments play a positive role on reducing soil pH, soluble Na, SAR values, Ex Na and ESP and progressive increasing in soil EC, soluble cations and anions, total soluble salts, O.C, C/N ratio and significantly increases in Ex Ca, Mg, K and CEC at the two soil depths (0-20 and 20-40 cm) in the two seasons compared with the control and clearly enhanced total macronutrients status of the investigated soil. Economical analysis indicate that the highest net income value (11960.06LE Fed-1) was incorporated with combination consists of 50% C and 50% Sh. Therefore, it is more useful to use those treatments (compost, FYM and sheep manure) and their combination to get a markedly improve in both chemical properties and macronutrients, which reflect on plants growth incorporated with high net revenue.
Two field experiments were carried out at the Experimental Farm, EL-Gemmeiza Agricultural Research Station, El-Gharbia Governorate, ARC, during the two seasons 2019 and 2020 to study the effect of maize plant density (10, 12 and 14 thousand plant fed -1 ), compost and sulfur on some soil physical and hydro physical properties and productivity of intercropped yellow maize with tomato and net economic return. A split-plot design with three replicates was used. The main-plots were assigned to the three plant densities (D1, 100% tomato + 50% maize ; D2, 100% tomato + 60% maize ; D3, 100% tomato + 70% maize) under different intercropping patterns. The sub-plots were allocated for soil conditioners (compost, sulfur and compost + sulfur as well as recommended doses of NPK).The results revealed that the maximum values of the all traits of maize and tomato were obtained when high plant density (D3) with compost + sulfur in both seasons. The lowest soil bulk density and settling percentage values and the highest total porosity ,void ratio and pore size distribution values were recorded with the high plant density (D3) and compost + sulfur in both seasons. Soil hydraulic conductivity and soil moisture characters were increased in all treatments at the two soil depths in both seasons compared with the sole planting of maize or tomato. The high plant density (D3) with compost + sulfur gave the highest values of water use efficiency, LER, ATER, LEC, MAI and Net economic return in both seasons.
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