Enhancing the Growth Efficiency of Salicornia to Mitigate Soil Salinity Hazards through the Application of Calcium Humate | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Chemistry | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 13 November 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejchem.2025.405421.12075 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Saied El elsayed* 1; Farid Abdel Aziz Hellal1; elham Abd EL-Moneim Badr ELSayed2 | ||
| 1National research center | ||
| 2Departmrnt of field crops research in National Research Centre | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Salinity poses a significant environmental challenge, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, where it severely hinders plant growth and agricultural productivity. In response, cultivating non-traditional crops like halophytes offers a promising and sustainable solution for utilizing saline environments effectively. A wire house experiment was conducted at the Plant Nutrition Dept. of the National Research Centre. This study investigated the impact of calcium humate (0, 100, 200 and 400 mM) on the growth, physiological responses, and nutrient uptake of Salicornia cultivated in sandy and clay soil. After treatment with calcium humate, a significant reduction in soil EC and associated cation and anion concentrations was observed, particularly at the highest calcium humate dose. Biomass production was positively influenced by increasing calcium humate concentrations, with the highest fresh and dry weights recorded at 400 mM in both soil types. In sandy soil, fresh weights reached 23.52 g (cutst) and 17.79 g (cutnd), while in clay soil they reached 23.27 g and 19.90 g, respectively. The treatment also enhanced pigment content, with total chlorophyll in sandy soil increasing from 0.619 to 1.235 mg/g fresh weight (cutst) and from 0.056 to 1.043 mg/g (cutnd). Similar trends were observed in clay soil. Calcium humate application led to a dose-dependent decrease in plant sodium content and Na/K ratio, while significantly increasing potassium and calcium uptake, particularly at 400 mM. The Na/K ratio in sandy soil dropped from 1.42 to 0.71 (cutst) and from 4.28 to 0.37 (cutnd). In clay soil, a similar trend was observed, confirming the salt-mitigating potential of calcium humate. Demonstrate enhanced protein and proline accumulation under calcium humate treatment, suggesting improved osmotic adjustment and stress tolerance. Additionally, nutrient uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus was significantly higher at increased humate concentrations. Overall; calcium humate substantially improved soil chemical properties, reduced salt stress, enhanced photosynthetic pigment levels, and promoted growth and nutrient assimilation in Salicornia. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Soil type; calcium humate; Na/K ratio; chlorophyll; proline content | ||
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