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Climate change and salt-affected soils detrimentally affect crop production in arid regions. Reclaiming these soils for crops and carbon sequestration can mitigate climate change and enhance food security. A laboratory-scale experiment was conducted on a wheat-maize crop rotation system for three consecutive years to check the effectiveness of organic amendments in reclaiming marginally salt-affected soils, improving soil health, sequestering carbon, and improving food grain production. This study included five treatments namely control (T1), gypsum alone at 100% gypsum requirements (G100), and its combinations with different organic amendments and 50% gypsum requirements (farm manure (FYM+G50), poultry manure (PM+G50), and green manure (GM+G50)) were used. Results indicated that sandy clay loam textured soil showed highest potential for its properties improvement after 45 days, i.e., EC decreased up to 3.9 dS m−1, pH 7.9 and, SOC increase up to 0.25%. After the fallow period, three consecutive years of crop production study indicated up to 39 and 70% increase in wheat and maize yields, respectively, compared to inorganic fertilizer alone. Maximum soil aggregation was noted in treatment with gypsum and farmyard manure application in loam soils (50%). The maximum soil organic carbon accumulation over the whole experiment was recorded in farmyard manure application in combination with gypsum (0.44 g kg−1) in both loam and sandy clay loam soil, while 0.31 g kg−1 in the clay loam soil. Based on the results, it was concluded that reclaiming marginally salt-affected soils enhances food crop production and incorporating manures improves soil through aggregation and carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is an important nutritional constraint for crop productivity in alkaline-calcareous saline-sodic soils. Generally, farmers apply different P fertilizers to overcome P deficiency; however, different P fertilizers may have different efficiency in saline-sodic and normal soils. An experiment was conducted to investigate the comparative effect of phosphatic fertilizers, viz. single super phosphate (SSP), di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and triple superphosphate (TSP), on the growth of rapeseed. These fertilizers were applied to three different types of soils, viz. normal, saline-sodic soil-I {EC, 7 dS m−1; SAR, 25 (mmol L−1)1/2} and saline-sodic soil-II {EC, 14 dS m−1; SAR, 50 (mmol L−1)1/2). In normal soil, DAP was effective to enhance growth compared to other fertilizers. In saline-sodic soil-I, SSP enhanced shoot dry weight (SDW) to the maximum (51%) compared to control and by 12% and 21% compared to TSP and DAP, respectively. In saline-sodic-II, SSP increased SDW by 51% compared to control and by 14% and 20% compared to TSP and DAP, respectively. In saline-sodic soil-I, SSP-fertilized plants had 22% and 7% higher membrane stability index compared to plants grown with DAP and TSP. In saline-sodic soil-I and II, plants grown in pots fertilized with SSP accumulated the maximum chlorophyll contents, while control plants contained the minimum. In saline-sodic soils, SSP increased P concentration in shoot and Olsen P compared to other fertilizers. It is concluded that SSP is relatively more effective and improves plant growth in saline-sodic soils, while DAP is suitable for normal soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with the effects of addition of sulfur along with other acidifying agents for their ability to lower and maintain the pH in a given range for a longer period of time. The chemicals were subjected to batch test individually and in combinations. Treatments were applied to three soils of different textures: sandy clay loam, clay loam, and silt loam. A 1:1 soil/water paste along with the added amendment was maintained at room temperature for 2 months. Most of the chemical treatments lowered the pH significantly. Combinations containing S/Al2(SO4)3/H2SO4, S/Al2(SO4)3/H2O2, and S/H2O2/H2SO4were found to be very effective in lowering the pH. The soil pH remained acidic for 2 months, indicating the suitability of chemically amended soil for the plantations requiring acidic soil pH. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We compared acetic, ascorbic, and oxalic acids with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to enhance phytoextraction of nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) by maize. Except ascorbic acid, acids significantly (P< 0.05) decreased shoot dry weight with maximum (5.60 g pot−1) recorded with ascorbic acid and minimum with oxalic acid (4.06 g pot−1). Maximum ammonium bicarbonate–diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid (AB-DTPA)–extractable nickel (19.94 mg kg−1) was recorded with EDTA and it was minimum (10.57 mg kg−1) with oxalic acid. The EDTA significantly (P< 0.05) increased AB-DTPA-extractable lead while other acids decreased it. Except acetic acid, other acids significantly (P< 0.05) increased Ni and Zn concentration in shoots with maximum Ni (9.22 mg kg−1) and Zn (37.40 mg kg−1) with EDTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphate (Pi), the fully oxidized and assimilated form of phosphorus (P), influences virtually all developmental and biochemical processes in plants; however, its availability and distribution are widely heterogeneous. Paradoxically, although total P is abundant in lithosphere, elusive soil chemistry of Pi renders the element the most dilute and the least mobile in natural and agricultural ecosystems, resulting in P deprivation due to its low mobility and high fixation capacity in the soil. NonmycorrhizalBrassicadoes not produce specialized cluster/dauciform roots but is an effective P user compared to other crops. Using a soil low in P (Mehlich 3–extractable P) with or without P fertilization,Brassicacultivars showed substantial genetic diversity in P-utilization efficiency (PUE), P efficiency (PE), P-efficiency ratio (PER), and P-stress factor (PSF). Cultivars producing greater root biomass accumulated greater total P contents, which in turn was related negatively to PSF and positively to shoot and total biomass. Plant survival and reproduction rely on efficient strategies in exploring culture media for P. Acquisition of orthophosphate from extracellular sparse P sources may be enhanced by biochemical rescue strategies such as copious H+efflux and/or carboxylates exudation into rhizosphere by roots via plasmalemma H+-ATPase and anion channels triggered by P starvation. The P-starvation-induced solution pH changes due to H+efflux, and carboxylates exudations were estimated by low-P-tolerant and low-P-sensitive cultivars in solution culture experiments. Low-P-tolerant cultivars showed more decrease in pH compared to low-P-sensitive cultivars when cultivars were grown under a P-stress environment induced by using sparingly soluble P sources (rock phosphate and tricalcium phosphate). The P contents of cultivars were inversely related to decrease in culture media pH. Low P-tolerant cultivars presented enhanced H+-efflux and total carboxylates exudations compared to low-P-sensitive cultivars, resulting in more rhizosphere acidification to scavenge Pi, evidencing their adaptability to P starvation. These elegant P-stress-induced rescue strategies by tested cultivars provided the basis of enhanced P solubilization and acquisition of P from sparingly soluble P sources to combat P-starved environments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In developing countries, farmers use effluent as a source of irrigation and nutrients and the government takes this practice as a viable option for disposal. Sewage samples have hazardous electrical conductivities (EC), sodium adsorption ratios (SARs), and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) for irrigation, but metals were close to upper permissible limits. The EC of saturated soil paste extract (ECe) ranged from 2.18 to 4.02 dS m–1 and soil SAR 7.72 to 16.00 in soils 0.2 m deep. Average cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in soils ranged from 0.02 to 0.13, 0.00 to 4.45, 2.27 to 4.57, 0.71 to 13.76, and 3.17 to 10.37 mg kg–1, respectively. Plants acquired metal contents greater than in raw sewage or soils. The wide biodiversity regarding metals in shoots of natural and planted vegetation that receives raw sewage is of practical significance. It seems imperative to study under controlled conditions various plants' metal tolerance and mechanisms of metal partitioning among plant parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Once soil solution phosphorus (P) level optimum for plant growth is identified, P adsorption isotherms or their equations can further be used to estimate fertilizer P rates required to adjust this desired soil solution P level to obtain maximum yield. Surface soil samples were collected from a farmer's field area and research area. An adsorption study was conducted on Ustic Endoaquerts (S1 soil), Typic Calciargids (S2 soil), and Typic Torripsamments (S3 soil) to develop the Freundlich-type equations. Phosphorus adsorption data were obtained by equilibrating 10-g soil samples in 100 mL of 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl2) containing various amounts of monopotassium phosphate (KH2PO4). Values of 1/n (slope) ranged from 0.4827 to 0.6452 L kg-1. Based on 1/n values, it was inferred that each of the two S1 and S3 soils was homogeneous and S2 was not. The KF (mg P kg-1) values of S1, S2, and S3 soils were 92.45, 55.81, and 23.38, respectively. The highest amount of P (92.45 mg kg-1) was adsorbed at unit EPC in S1 soil, whereas the lowest amount (23.38 mg P kg-1) was adsorbed in S3 soil. Thereafter, 11 P fertilizer doses were calculated by these Freundlich-type equations to adjust different estimated soil solution P levels that were designated as treatments (0.05 to 0.90 mg L-1). Then field experiments on wheat (cv. Inqalab-91) were conducted according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) on these soils to determine internal (plant tissue), external (soil solution), and fertilizer P requirements. Maximum wheat gain yield (Mg ha-1) was 6.82 with T5 (0.25 mg P L-1) on S1 soil, 5.96 with T5 (0.25 mg P L-1) on S2 soil, and 4.97 with T7 (0.40 mg P L-1) on S3 soil that was obtained by application of 196 kg P2O5 ha-1 on S1 soil, 142 kg P2O5 ha-1 on S2 soil, and 78 kg P2O5 ha-1 on S3 soil. Internal P concentration (%) associated with 95% of maximum wheat yield at booting stage was 0.32 in S1, 0.21 in S2, and 0.33 in S3 soil. In straw, it was 0.123% in S1, 0.080% in S2, and 0.108% in S3 soil. The internal P requirement of wheat grain was 0.39% in S1, 0.40% in S2, and 0.37% in S3 soil. External soil solution P requirement (ESPR) for 95% of maximum yield of wheat was 0.45 mg L-1 in S1 soil, 0.34 mg L-1 in S2 soil, and 0.44 mg L-1 in S3 soil. Quantity of P2O5 corresponding to ESPR values were 217 kg ha-1 on S1, 123 kg ha-1 on S2, and 60 kg ha-1 on S3 soil. Putting ESPR values in the respective Freundlich-type equation, P fertilizer rates (kg P2O5 ha-1) were estimated that were 282 on S1, 167 on S2, and 83 on S3 soil; Practically, 262, 156, and 78 kg P2O5 ha-1 was applied in the field to adjust soil solution P level (mg L-1) at 0.40 (T7), 0.30 (T6), and 0.40 (T7) in S1, S2, and S3 soil, respectively, that are somewhat less than determined ESPR values. Phosphorous doses applied to achieve a desired EPAS value or estimated from graphs against predicted ESPR values, or calculated from corresponding Freundlich-type equations using desired ESPR values are in close proximity to one another. Therefore, any of the techniques can be used interchangeably to estimate the P fertilizer requirement for optimum wheat yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large genotypic variation for salt tolerance in rice and wheat is the driving force behind efforts to identify appropriate cultivars for salt-prone environments where large variations in salinity (electrical conductivity, EC) and sodicity (sodium adsorption ratio, SAR) levels exist. An evaluation of the commonly grown rice and wheat cultivars at different EC/SAR ratios may thus help in coping with the crop failures on salt-affected soils. Accordingly, we evaluated some salt-tolerant cultivars of rice and wheat for growth and yield at different soil salinity and sodicity levels in a sandy clay loam soil. Among the cultivars tested, rice 'SSRI-8' produced the highest productive tillers and paddy yield, and wheat cultivar 'SIS-32' produced the highest tillers and grain and straw yields. The high EC/SAR ratios proved more hazardous for rice than for wheat. Irrespective of the varieties tested, the highest levels of EC and SAR (T5 and T6) caused significant reduction in paddy yield, whereas at the lowest levels of EC and SAR (T1 and T2), paddy yield was not affected significantly when compared with the control. However, in case of wheat crop, all the levels [i.e., the lowest (T1 and T2), medium (T3 and T4), and the highest (T5 and T6) of EC and SAR tested] affected wheat yield adversely with significant differences. For both the crops, there were little or no differences in yield between the two ratios tested (i.e., 1:2 and 1:4) at all the levels of EC and SAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]