Impact of biofertilizer and elemental sulphur on growth and yield of wheat [triticum aestivum var.] grown in saline sodic soil

ABSTRACT

Two field experiments were carried out at Sahl El-Hossainya Research Station, El-Sharkia Governorate during winter seasons [2007-2008] and [2008-2009] to study the effect of salt tolerant N[2] fixers, Azospirillum Azospferum, Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus polymyxa and Klebsiella penumoniae as well as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria [Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis], on soil biological and chemical properties as well as growth and yield of wheat cv. Sakha 93, grown in saline sodic soil amended with elemental sulphur [0.5 ton/fed] and two levels of inorganic N-fertilizer [75 and 100% of the recommended dose]. Results indicated that inoculation with a mixture of N[2] fixers+PGPRs in presence of 0.5 ton/fed elemental sulphur and 75% of the recommended dose of N-fertilizer, resulted in superior improvement of enzymes activities [nitrogenase and dehydrogenase], CO[2] evolution, growth parameters [plant height, plant dry weight and No. of tillers] and chlorophyll content in leaves at 80[th] day of wheat sowing. At harvesting, the same treatment recorded the optimum NPK, total amino acid and crude protein contents in grains, and the highest grain yield, straw yield and weight of 1000 grains comparing to uninoculated and control treatments. Also, the same treatment recorded improvement in some soil chemical properties [pH, EC and available NPK]. So, our study supports the use of biofertilizers and chemical amendment [sulphur] as beneficial source for sustainable agriculture specially in saline sodic soil under reclamation