Baddour, A., El-Shaboury, H. (2023). Reducing the Salt Effect on Maize Plant Through the External Addition of Melatonin and Soil Addition of Vermicompost and Potassium Humate. Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 14(12), 377-383. doi: 10.21608/jssae.2023.250890.1203
A. Baddour; Hayam El-Shaboury. "Reducing the Salt Effect on Maize Plant Through the External Addition of Melatonin and Soil Addition of Vermicompost and Potassium Humate". Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 14, 12, 2023, 377-383. doi: 10.21608/jssae.2023.250890.1203
Baddour, A., El-Shaboury, H. (2023). 'Reducing the Salt Effect on Maize Plant Through the External Addition of Melatonin and Soil Addition of Vermicompost and Potassium Humate', Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 14(12), pp. 377-383. doi: 10.21608/jssae.2023.250890.1203
Baddour, A., El-Shaboury, H. Reducing the Salt Effect on Maize Plant Through the External Addition of Melatonin and Soil Addition of Vermicompost and Potassium Humate. Journal of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering, 2023; 14(12): 377-383. doi: 10.21608/jssae.2023.250890.1203
Reducing the Salt Effect on Maize Plant Through the External Addition of Melatonin and Soil Addition of Vermicompost and Potassium Humate
Soils, Water and Environment Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Box 13611, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Salinity stress poses a significant challenge in the Egyptian agricultural sector, contributing to physiological disorders in plants. To address this issue, two field trials were conducted over consecutive seasons (2022-2023) aiming to evaluate the impact of various soil amendments, including vermicompost and potassium humate, along with a control group, as the main factor. Additionally, external applications of melatonin hormone at different concentrations (0.0, 50, 100 mmol L-1) were introduced as subplots, on maize grown on salt affected soil. The growth characteristics of the plants, such as fresh and dry weights and leaf area, were assessed. Additionally, the yield and its components, including the number of seeds per cob, the weight of 1000 seeds and seed yield, were also measured. Also, the soil fertility was assessed by determining the availability of nutrients, including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The results indicate that potassium humate was the most effective soil addition in terms of enhancing plant performance and productivity, followed by vermicompost, with the control treatment showing the least favorable outcomes. Additionally, as the concentration of melatonin increased, there was a corresponding increase in the values of all studied parameters related to plant performance and productivity, contrasting with the control group which exhibited the lowest values. Generally, the combined treatment of potassium humate and melatonin at rate of100 mmol L-1 resulted in the maximum values of growth parameters and productivity of maize plant. Finally, these findings provide valuable insights for sustainable agricultural practices in salinity-affected regions.