Effect of Biochar and Chicken Manure on Soil Properties and Growth Traits of Coriander Plant Irrigated with Saline Water in Sandy Soil

Abstract

A pot trial was conducted in the nursery of the Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University during the 2016/2017 season to study the effect of biochar and chicken manure on sandy soil properties and traits of coriander plant and the possibility of utilizing the seawater diluted (10%) in irrigation. Randomized complete plot design (RCBD) with three replicates was used in this study. The treatments were as follows: Without (Control), Chicken manure, (20 ton fed-1 , i.e. 400 g pot-1) and biochar, (5 ton fed-1 , i.e. 100 gpot-1). Results showed that the organic amendments [chicken manure and biochar] had highly significant effects on all the studied chemical and physical properties of sandy soil such as, total N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Mn, Ca, Mg, Na, pH, EC and bulk density. Adding biochar and chicken manure gave the best values of all the studied chemical and physical properties of sandy soil compared with control. Also, it was noticed surpassed that biochar treatment over chicken manure in some chemical traits of the soil, such as, total N, P, Na and Cl in the soil. On the other side, the chicken manure surpassed over biochar in some chemical traits of the soil, such as, K, Fe, Mn, Ca and Mg. Results indicated that the organic amendments [chicken manure and biochar] had highly significant effects on all the studied chemical, growth and yield traits of coriander plant, i.e. total N, P and K (%); total Fe, Zn and Mn contents (mgkg-1); plant fresh weight (g), plant dry weight (g), plant height (cm), leaves number per plant and chlorophyll content. Adding chicken manure and biochar gave the best values of all the studied chemical, growth and yield traits of coriander plant compared with control. In addition, it was noticed surpassed the chicken manure over biochar in improving all the studied chemical, growth and yield traits of coriander plant. Therefore, it could be recommended that adding the organic amendments (chicken manure or biochar) to improve the chemical and physical properties of sandy soil and chemical and growth traits of coriander plant irrigated with saline water (diluted seawater, 10%) in sandy soil.

Integrated Effect of Fertilizers on Soil pH, EC and Organic Matter Content

“…[23] Found that among four N-fertilization rates of 0, 60, 120, 180 kg N ha -1 and three organic sources two biochars and compost led to slightly increased of EC because of biochar addition. [24] Reported mixed bio-fertilizer with organic manure at a rate of 10 t/fed resulted in maximum wheat productivity and improved soil properties and fertility of soil after wheat harvest. In general, the content of several ions in the compost is a potential nutritional value to plants, especially when the heavy metals content are low, but high concentrations of some ions can potentially increase salinity soils [25].…”