EFFICIENCY OF BIOLOGICAL SOIL AMENDMENTS IN THE RECLAMATION OF SANDY SOIL FOR WHEAT CULTIVATION UNDER WATER STRESS CONDITIONS | ||
| Menoufia Journal of Soil Science | ||
| Volume 10, Issue 8, August 2025, Pages 133-143 PDF (616.74 K) | ||
| Document Type: original papers | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/mjss.2025.413812.1035 | ||
| Authors | ||
| S Aly* 1; M Salem* 2; W Omran* 1; Maryum El-Hefny,* 1 | ||
| 1Soil Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Al Menoufia 32516, Egypt | ||
| 2Plant Pathology, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, University of Sadat City | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Sandy soils, with their inherent low fertility and poor water retention, pose substantial challenges to sustainable agriculture, particularly in arid regions such as Egypt. This study investigated the potential for reclamation of sandy soil for wheat cultivation using eco-friendly amendments. These include compost and a prepared fermented bio-liquid composed of seaweed extract, dairy byproducts, wood vinegar, and beneficial microbes. A two-year small-scale lysimeter experiment was conducted to simulate natural conditions. The first year served as a baseline (untreated soil as the control treatment). In the second year, all lysimeters were amended with green manure, compost, and the biological liquid soil conditioner. Key physical and chemical soil properties (texture, bulk density, porosity, pH, EC, and organic matter) were monitored. The biological yield of wheat was determined at various deficit irrigation levels (30%, 20%, 10%, and 0%) and three drought stress strategies (whole season, booting and heading stages, and maturity stage) in both untreated soil (1st year) and amended soil (2nd year). Wheat crop productivity increased significantly in the second year, particularly under moderate deficit irrigation, demonstrating the effectiveness of the amendments in mitigating water stress. The highest yield was obtained for the strategy of maturity stress, and the lowest yield was associated with the whole stress. The amendments mitigate the harmful effects of stress, particularly in cases of irrigation deficit (10%). The statistical analysis confirmed the significant effects of both the amendment and the irrigation level. This study introduces new and innovative green technologies that increase crop productivity and promote sustainable agriculture in water-scarce areas. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Sandy soil; Compost; Biofertilizer; Deficit irrigation; Wheat yield | ||
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