Optimizing Soil Health and Maize Yield Under Salinity Stress with Compost and Sulfur Nanoparticles

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Soil Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Soil salinity is a major constraint on agricultural productivity, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
• High salinity negatively impacts soil properties and crop yields, necessitating effective management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of compost, elemental sulfur (ES), and sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs), individually and in combination, for improving soil properties and maize productivity under varying salinity levels.
• To test the hypothesis that integrated amendments (compost + ES or compost + SNPs) provide superior benefits compared to single amendments.

Main Methods:

• Field study across four salinity levels (3.68 to 12.18 dS/m).
• Application of compost, ES, SNPs, compost + ES, and compost + SNPs.
• Assessment of soil properties (SOM, SAR, pH, phosphorus availability, infiltration rate, porosity) and maize performance (grain yield, straw yield, plant height, cob length, chlorophyll content).

Main Results:

• Compost alone increased soil organic matter (SOM) by 1.33 times and reduced sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) by 33%, boosting yield by 40% in moderately saline soils.
• ES and SNPs decreased soil pH by 0.8-1.2 units and increased phosphorus availability by 25-30%.
• The compost-SNP combination showed the most significant improvements, enhancing infiltration rate by 60%, porosity by 15%, and straw yield by 50% in highly saline soils, with notable increases in plant height, cob length, and chlorophyll content.

Conclusions:

• Integrated application of compost with ES or SNPs is highly effective in ameliorating soil salinity stress.
• The compost-SNP combination offers a promising strategy for enhancing soil quality and maize productivity in saline environments.
• These findings support sustainable agricultural practices in salt-affected regions.