Effect of Cyanobacteria Inoculation Associated With Different Nitrogen Levels on Some Sandy and Calcareous Soils Properties and Wheat Productivity

Abstract

Recently, a great attention is paid in establishing concept of the associations between wheat plants and a variety of N 2 -fixing microorganisms. This phenomenon has entered the scientific scene arising from the prospects and the possibilities of their potentially application. . In this work, cyanobacteria inoculation (SBCI) was applied to wheat in a greenhouse experiment under different levels of nitrogen to explore its influence on wheat yield and its components as well as on some soil properties of both sandy and calcareous soils. Results revealed that inoculation with cyanobacteria generally enhanced the growth of wheat plants. Also, 75 % N + SBCI gave the highest wheat grain and straw yields, highest total NPK contents for both grains and straw. These results were not significantly differed from those recorded by 100 % N treatment. Regarding soil physical characteristics the results indicate that inoculation with cyanobacteria increased the proportion of macro-aggregates with a corresponding decrease in the micro-aggregates in both tested soils. Inoculation with cyanobacteria increased both soil organic matter and water holding capacity percentages, while decreased the soil bulk density for both tested soils. Generally, it is of preliminarily prediction that cyanobacteria inoculation can save 25 % of the mineral nitrogen required for wheat cultivation. Also, it can ameliorate and improve the physical properties of the marginal and poor soils such as those of sandy and calcareous soils applied in the present study. [Y. M. El-Ayouty., F. M. Ghazal, Wafaa T. El-Etr and Hanaa A. Zain EL-Abdeen. Effect of Cyanobacteria Inoculation Associated With Different Nitrogen Levels on Some Sandy and Calcareous Soils Properties and Wheat Productivity. Nat Sci 2012;10(12):233-240]. (ISSN: 1545-0740). http://www.sciencepub.net/nature. 35