Mirza B. Baig, M. Sharif Zia
Mirza B. Baig, M. Sharif Zia
Mirza B. Baig, M. Sharif Zia
39(1) 2006
Abstract
The effect of sesbania green manure and gypsum application (0, 50, 75 and 100 percent of gypsum requirement) on
rice was investigated in a field study on a sodic soil at the Saline Agriculture Research Station, Sadhuke, Lahore,
Pakistan. Sesbania was grown for two months and then incorporated into the soil as green manure. Gypsum was
applied before the sowing of sesbania. Basmati 385 was used as the test variety of rice.
Sesbania green manuring significantly increased the number of productive rice tillers. Although paddy and straw
yields were also increased (13.1 and 14.2 percent respectively), the differences were statistically not significant.
Productive tillers, paddy and straw yield were significantly increased by gypsum application. Differences in paddy
yield due to 75 and 100 percent gypsum application rate were not significant indicating that gypsum applied at low
rates was just as effective as high rates. Green manuring significantly increased N utilization by both grain and
straw but did not impact P uptake. The application of gypsum significantly increased the N and P uptake; the
differences between 100 and 75 percent gypsum requirement (GR) treatments were not significant, but were
significantly higher than the 50 percent gypsum requirement (GR) rate.
Key words: Reclamation, Environmental friendly, Agroforestry, Gypsum and Salinity, Sesbania
aculeata
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Frenkel et al., 1989). If the soil profile permeability is changes occur during the release of organic carbon and
low or a water-restricting layer exists, mixing of exudates (Dormaar, 1988; Treeby et al., 1989). Changes
gypsum will not be effective unless sodium is removed in soil pH (Liu et al., 1989; Youssef and Chino, 1989),
laterally. the addition of organic matter and nutrients (Lal et al.,
To monitor leaching effectiveness during the 1979; Yamoah et al., 1986), and the increased
reclamation process, soil samples can be taken dissolution of lime in presence of CO 2 evolved from
periodically and analyzed. Also, salt-sensors can be decomposition of organic matter and plant root
used to monitor salt movements in the profile (Hoffman, respiration (Gupta and Karan, 1985; Gupta et al., 1988)
1981), but are not useful in describing soil chemical are additional soil alterations.
properties, such as sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and Only a limited amount of work demonstrates that crops
pH. Many previous studies involved with reclamation of can change the chemical properties of saline-sodic soils
saline-sodic soils have been done in laboratories with during reclamation. The effects of chemical
closely defined physio-chemical properties, mostly of amendments like gypsum and the deep-rooted crops like
the surface soil layer. Only limited field data are sesbania alone or in combination for reclamation of
available on downward removal of excess sodium. This saline-sodic soils have not been widely studied,
latter aspect is addressed in the current field study. particularly in Pakistan. The present study focuses on an
Water flow in soils occurs mostly in macro pores that effort to rehabilitate salt- affected soils through
are > 1 mm in diameter (Bouma et al., 1977; Germann biological and chemical means, and to devise an
and Beven, 1981; Meek et al., 1989). Fine-textured soils appropriate and economical technology for increasing
have more total pore space but have fewer macro pores yields from these problem lands.
than do coarse-textured soils. The salts held in micro In this experiment, the cumulative effects of gypsum
pores remain largely immobile under steady-state application and sesbania green manure on rice
conditions, because micro pores take little part in water production on a saline-sodic soil under a rice-wheat
flow (Gish and Jury, 1983). One economical way to rotation were investigated.
increase the proportion of macro pores in the soil profile
is through growing of deep-rooted crops, such as alfalfa MATERIALS AND METHOHDS
(Medicago sativa) and bahiagrass (Pospalum notatum)
(Charles and Sickle, 1984; Angers and Mehuys, 1988; The Study Site
Meek et al., 1990). Unfortunately, alfalfa does not have The study was conducted on the Saline Agriculture
high tolerance of salts (Ilyas, 1990). Among the salt- Research Station, Sadhuke, Punjab, Pakistan, located 30
tolerant plants, sesbania (Sesbania aculeata) can kilometers north of Lahore. The arid and continental
successfully colonize problem soils. Sesbania is climates are characterized by hot and dry summers,
considered an integral component of agro forestry maximum temperature 41oC, and cold winters with
systems and is an effective element in reclamation temperatures dropping to 12.2oC. The mean annual
strategies if used as green manure (Evans and Rotar, rainfall ranges between 325 and 755 mm, of which 75
1987; Ahmed, 1991; Baig et al. 2005 a; Baig et al. 2005 percent is received during the monsoon months (July -
b). September). The rainfall is less than potential
Plants can also change the chemical properties of saline- evapotranspiration (Map 1).
sodic soils (Ahmad et al., 1990; Ahmed, 1991). These
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Effect of Sesbania and Gypsum on Nitrogen Uptake Differences between the 75 and 100 percent of gypsum
in Rice requirement (GR) treatment were not significant (Table
Nitrogen uptake in grain, straw and grain+straw was 6). In several field studies, gypsum improved the
significantly increased with sesbania green manuring chemical properties of saline-sodic soils by lowering
(Table 4). The process of puddling in transplanted rice exchangeable sodium, reducing electrical conductivity,
probably allows for more and thorough incorporation of and lowering pH of the root zone (Chauhan and
green manure in the soil. The significant increase in N Tripathi, 1983; Hussain et al., 1988; Bajwa and Josan,
uptake in rice could be attributed to continuous, 1989; Carter and Pearson, 1989; Ahmad et al., 1990).
prolonged and greater accumulation of N in the soil. However, the effectiveness of the amendment appears to
Similar results have been reported by Panda et al. be dependent on the amount of gypsum added, and the
(1991) under different climatic and soil conditions. amount and chemical composition of irrigation water
Nitrogen uptake in grain and straw was also applied (Oster, 1982; Hoffman, 1986). Low response
significantly increased with the application of gypsum among the treatments can be attributed to the difference
(Table 4). The highest uptake resulted from the 100 in rates of gypsum applied and the use of brackish
percent GR treatment. However, the differences irrigation water in this study. The data show that
between 50 and 75 percent gypsum requirement (GR) gypsum could not completely offset the deleterious
were greater than differences between 75 and 100 effects of Na when used at 50 percent GR. The findings
percent. It is obvious from the data that application of are in agreement with those of several workers
lower levels of gypsum requirement resulted in much (Ghafoor, 1984; Ghafoor et al., 1990; Ahmad et al.,
less Na replacement from the exchange complex than at 1990).
the higher levels.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Effect of Sesbania and Gypsum on Phosphorus
Concentration in Rice Based on the results obtained in this study the following
There was no significant effect of green manuring on P conclusions are drawn:
concentration in rice grain and straw (Table 5). This 1. The study shows that sesbania green manuring
non-significant effect due to addition of green manuring significantly improves problem soils in Punjab by
may be because alkaline calcareous soils in general ameliorating the physical and chemical properties of
(Chhabra et al., 1981) and rice soils in particular already the soil. These properties also improve N and P
contain high amounts of available P (Zia, 1990). nutrition of the following rice crop.
Phosphorus concentration in rice grain was significantly 2.Sesbania and rice crops help to balance nutrient
enhanced due to gypsum application at the 75 percent supply, protect leaching and act as a buffer against
and 100 percent GR levels (Table 5). There were, salinity/sodicity by lowering pH.
however, no significant differences in P concentration in 3. Maximum increases in paddy (75 percent) and straw
both grain and in straw between control and 50 percent yield (66 percent) were obtained when gypsum was
GR application and between the 75 and 100 GR levels. applied at the 75 and 100 percent GR rate.
Gupta et al. (1988) have shown that level of electrolyte, 4. Gypsum significantly enhanced N and P uptake.
sodium saturation, pH, and the presence of alkalinity However, N and P utilization were significantly lower
causing anionic species together or in combination at the 50 percent GR application compared to higher
enhance release of P from calcareous sodic soils. The rates. Therefore, higher rates of gypsum application
data suggest that non-significant differences among the seem appropriate and are recommended, based on
treatments may result from an increase in soluble P due detailed soil analyses to determine the needed
to flooding. The statistically significant difference amendments.
between control and the highest levels of gypsum 5. To propagate the amendment idea among common
requirement clearly demonstrates the usefulness of farmers, the economic and biologic factors need to be
gypsum in increasing P concentration in rice. analyzed. Farmers with the poor resources would
adopt the practices having less initial cost but more
Effect of Sesbania and Gypsum on Phosphorus net returns in a short rather than long term.
Uptake in Rice 6. The combination of sesbania green manure and
Phosphorus uptake in both rice grain and straw was gypsum at moderate levels physically and chemically
significantly affected by sesbania (Table 6). Meelu et al. improve problem soils, achieve sustainability, and
(1991) reported increased utilization of P from the soil improve optimum net returns in the long run.
supplies by the crop due to sesbania application;
perhaps more utilization from the reserve sources may
be due to sesbania decomposition. Gypsum application
significantly increased the P uptake in grain, straw,
grain+straw at all levels of application. However, the
increase at the 50 percent gypsum requirement (GR)
level was not as great as at 75 and 100 percent levels.
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Press Inc., New York.
Corresponding author:
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* Means sharing the same letter are statistically not different at p 0.05
** No GM = Sesbania was not added
*** GM = Sesbania was added
* Means sharing the same letter are statistically not different at p 0.05
** No GM = Sesbania was not added
*** GM = Sesbania was added
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