Soil amendments and seed priming influence nutrients uptake, soil properties, yield and yield components of wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) in alkali soils
Open Access
- 28 February 2013
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
- Vol. 59 (2), 262-270
- https://doi.org/10.1080/00380768.2012.762634
Abstract
The effects of soil amendments [i.e., control, gypsum, farmyard manure (FYM), and gypsum + FYM] and seed priming (i.e., unprimed, seed soaked in water for 10 hr prior to sowing, and seed soaked in 0.4% gypsum solution for 10 hr prior to sowing) were assessed on growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop in alkali soil in northwestern Pakistan. A split plot design was used, keeping priming methods in main plots and soil amendments in sub-plots. The results showed that the effects of soil amendments and seed priming on grain yield, straw yield, harvest index and number of spikes were significant but their interactive effect was non-significant. The highest crop yields and yield index were obtained with gypsum + FYM amendments, and seed priming with gypsum solution. The effect on seed emergence, plant height and number of grains per spike was, however, not significant. Grain yield increased by 104% in gypsum + FYM treatment over control and by 16.8% with seed primed in water, followed by 8.5% with priming in gypsum solution, as compared to non-priming. The weight of 1000 grains was significantly increased by 35% in gypsum + FYM treatment and by 15.8% in gypsum priming. The phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content increased with soil amendments. Soil pH and gypsum requirement reduced significantly with soil amendments. The blend of gypsum and FYM has improved the properties of salt-affected soil and enhanced fertility for optimum production of wheat in addition to the beneficial effect of seed priming in gypsum solution on crop yield. Using these amendments could be ameliorative in removing the adverse effect of the salt-affected soils, rendering the soil a good medium for plant growth.Keywords
This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit:
- IMPROVING THE YIELD OF MUNGBEAN (VIGNA RADIATA) IN THE NORTH WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE OF PAKISTAN USING ON-FARM SEED PRIMINGExperimental Agriculture, 2004
- Effect of Pre-sowing Seed Treatment of Raya With Micronutrients on Yield ParametersAsian Journal of Plant Sciences, 2002
- On-farm seed priming: using participatory methods to revive and refine a key technologyAgricultural Systems, 2001
- PARTICIPATORY EVALUATION BY FARMERS OF ON-FARM SEED PRIMING IN WHEAT IN INDIA, NEPAL AND PAKISTANExperimental Agriculture, 2001
- Data presentation, interpretation, and communicationCommunications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 2000
- Chemical changes in a saline-sodic soil after gypsum application and croppingSoil Technology, 1997
- Gypsum amendment improves native grass establishment on saline-alkali soils in northeast ChinaSoil Use and Management, 1997
- Contribution of Individual Culms to Yield of Salt‐Stressed WheatCrop Science, 1996
- Gypsum usage in irrigated agriculture: A reviewNutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 1982
- Diagnosis and Improvement of Saline and Alkali SoilsSoil Science, 1954