RESPONSE OF Solanum melongena L. SEEDLINGS GROWN UNDER SALINE CALCAREOUS SOIL CONDITIONS TO A NEW ORGANO-MINERAL FERTILIZER Authors: W. M. Semida, T. A. Abd El-Mageed, S. M. Howladar, G. F. Mohamed, M. M. Rady Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS) ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online) Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Pages: 485-493 Year: 2015 DOI: NA URL: https://doi.org/NA Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum Abstract:

This study was planned to investigate the effect of soil application with an organo-mineral fertilizer [OMF; a 5:2:1 (w/w/w) mixture of green waste compost, elemental sulphur (S) and humic acid (HA), respectively] on physical and chemical characteristics of a reclaimed saline calcareous soil (ECe = 6.47 dS m−1 and CaCO3 = 15.63%). In addition, growth, physiological and anatomical characters of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) seedlings grown under the tested soil were investigated. The experiments were arranged in a completely randomized design with 4 experimental OMF treatments (i.e., 0, 10, 20, or 30 g kg−1 soil) with 10 replicates. The OMF-treated plants showed increased growth, concentrations of total soluble sugars, free proline, anthocyanin, K and Ca, ratios of Ca:Na and K:Na, and photosynthetic efficiency. An enhanced seedling anatomy was also observed with soil amendment by OMF. On the other hand, the OMF application led to a substantial reduction in soil salinity (ECe) and pH and an increase in field capacity and available water. The tested organo-mineral fertilizer could be recommended as a soil amendment for vegetable crops, including eggplant to overcome the adverse effects of salinity stress in newly-reclaimed soils.

Keywords: Organo-mineral fertilizer, Saline calcareous soil, Eggplant, Photosynthetic apparatus, Soil characteristics