Effect of Some Organic Substances and Foliar Application of Nano-Silica on Physico-Chemical Soil Properties and Yield of Wheat in Salt Affected Soils

Abstract

Ensuring food security under climate change scenario requisites amending degraded soils and sustainably boost staple crops yield in a biologically viable way through effective plant nutrition management strategies. Two multi-year lysimeter experiments at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafr El Sheikh, Egypt, were conducted to investigate the impact of soil organic substances and foliar application of nano-Silica on  physico-chemical soil properties and yield of wheat in salt affected soils (2017/18 and 2018/19 winter seasons). The experiment was executed in split plot with three replicates having organic substances (Molas (M),Compost tea (CT), K-humate (KH), M+CT, M+KH, CT + KH, M+CT+KH and control treatment in main plots while sub plots had foliar application of (tab water  and nano-Silica).The results showed that physico-chemical properties (bulk density, porosity , cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, exchangeable sodium percentage  etc.) and fertility (availability of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium ) of the soil were significantly influenced by all organic substances, however co-application of molas+K-humate+compost tea remained unmatched. The same treatment combination also remained effective in boosting Nitrogen and protein in grain along with wheat yield during both seasons. With foliage applied nano Silica remained superior by recording the highest yield attributes and grain yield of wheat. Therefore, it is inferred that co-application of organic substances and foliage applied of nano-Silica could be developed as an effective approach to restore and conserve the soil and increase wheat productivity in salt affected soils environment arid and semi-arid regions.