Effect of vermicompost and its mixtures with water treatment residuals on soil chemical properties and barley growth

Abstract

Water treatment residuals (WTR) and organic amendments can improve both organic wastes recycling and soil reclamation. The present work was carried out to evaluate the effect of vermicompost, when used alone or in combination with WTR at mixed ratios of 2:1 and 1:1 wet weight (Vermi: WTR), on soil chemical properties of saline sodic soils, and on barley growth (Hordeum aestivm). The results showed that the soil EC, SAR, Cland Na+ decreased significantly with the application of vermicompost alone and when mixed with WTR. Organic matter, CEC and nutrients available (N, P and K) were increased as the rate of the organic materials increased. The treatment of vermicompost: WTR (2:1 wet weight ratio) at level of 10g kg-1 soil gave the highest grain weight of barley plants compared to other treatments. Based on the results of the current study, the combinations of vermicompost and WTR can are considered as an ameliorating material to reclaim of saltaffected soils and to improve the yield of barley plants. Moreover, it can improve the efficiency of organic wastes and WTR disposal.