AMELIORATION OF SALINE-SODIC SOILS WITH ORGANIC-MATTER AND THEIR USE FOR WHEAT GROWTH

Few reports highlight the effect of organic matter in improving the pr operties of saline soils. A laboratory study was conducted to determin e the effect of adding farm yard manure (manure), Egyptian clover hay (clover hay), and wheat straw, at 1 and 3% of soil weight on water sta bility of soil aggregates (WSA), water-holding capacity (WHC), pH, and electrical conductivity of soil extract (ECe) of a normal, saline, an d saline sodic soil. After 90 and 180 days, WSA and WHC increased, whi le pH and ECe decreased. Soil properties improved most by adding 3% ma nure to all the soils. Wheat grown in these soils indicated significan t differences for various growth and yield variables, especially the r oot growth, number and area of green leaves, and grain yield. Organic matter added to these soils increased WSA and WHC and decreased pH and Ece. The WHC had no correlation with pH, but was negatively correlate d with Ece. Increased WSA caused the leaching of excess ions and reduc ed their toxicity, while enhanced WHC increased the availability of wa ter to the roots and promoted growth. It is concluded that manure amel iorated salt affected soils and promoted wheat growth better than clov er hay and wheat straw.