A novel organo-mineral fertilizer can alleviate negative effects of salinity stress for eggplant production on reclaimed saline calcareous soil

Abstract

A novel organo-mineral fertilizer [a 5: 2: 1 (w/w/w) mixture of green waste compost, elemental sulphur (S) and humic acid (HA), respectively] was used as a soil amendment to study its effect on the growth, chlorophyll contents, chlorophyll fluorescence, and leaf nutrient status of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) grown in reclaimed saline calcareous soil (ECe=6.47 dS m -1 and CaCO3=15.63%). The organo-mineral fertilizer-treated plants showed increased growth, proline, chlorophyll and nutrient contents. A significant decrease in photosynthetic efficiency was observed on non-treated plants. The use of organo-mineral fertilizer led to an apparent decrease in soil salinity and soil bulk density. Total porosity, field capacity, and useful pores were greatly increased by organo-mineral fertilizer application. Therefore, we recommend using the tested organo-mineral fertilizer as a soil amendment for vegetables such as eggplant to overcome the adverse effects of salinity stress in newly reclaimed soils.