Improving Some Properties of Saline Soil Using Zeoilite, Vermicompost and Biochar in the Growth and Yield of Sorghum

A field experiment was conducted to improve the properties of saline soil using zeolite, vermicompost, biochar and their interaction on growth and yield of Sorghum. The study included three levels of zeolite (0, 6 and 12 Mg ha-1) (Z0, Z1 and Z2), two levels of vermicompost (0 and 10 Mg ha-1) (V0 and V1) and three levels of biochar (0, 5 and 10 Mg ha-1). The experiment was carried out according to randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results show that addition of zeolite, vermicompost and biochar had a significant effect on soil physical and chemical properties. 12 Mg ha-1 level of zeolite, 10 Mg ha-1 level of vermicompost, and 10 Mg ha-1 level of biochar achieved the lowest value for bulk density while they achieved the highest values, for moisture content at field capacity, permanent wilting point and available water, while they achieved the lowest values for EC, SAR and ESP. As for interaction between three factors, the Z2V1B2 treatment (12 Mg ha-1 zeolite, 10 Mg ha-1 vermicompost and 10 Mg ha-1 biochar) excelled in achieving lowest value of bulk density reached 1.18 Mg m-3, highest values of moisture content in soil reached 35.63, 18.63 and 17.00% for field capacity , permanent wilting point and available water, respectively, and lowest values of soil EC, SAR and ESP reached 3.00 dS m-1, 3.15 (mmol L-1)0.5 and 7.4% , respectively. The study factors and their interactions achieved the highest response in growth and yield plant parameters.