Effect of saline irrigation water on the leachability of salts, growth and chemical composition of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in saline-sodic soil supplemented with phosphorus and potassium

Abstract

Salinity-fertility interaction has not been properly explored especially in saline-sodic soils.Therefore, the current study investigated the response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to saline irrigation water in salinesodic soil supplemented with potassium (K) and phosphorus (P).Wheat was grown in pots filled with salinesodic soil which were irrigated either with normal or saline water.Potassium and P fertilizers were applied at two levels.Results indicated that growth of wheat plants was impaired by saline irrigation resulting in a decreased grain and dry matter yield.The P application had significant effect on the dry matter yield and other yield components.Potassium application significantly increased dry matter yield and root mass.Wheat yield increased by 14 and 7% with the application of 150 kg K 2 O ha -1 and 120 kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 over the control soil under saline irrigation.The higher yield was obtained with combined P and K treatment under non-saline irrigation.The P addition significantly affected shoot and root [P] and [Na], [K] and [Mg] in the shoot tissue while the K:Na ratio produced non-significant effects under both irrigation waters.The addition of K significantly affected [Na], [K] and K:Na ratio in shoot.All other root parameters were significantly affected by the K addition.The Ca uptake by roots increased with saline irrigation.The P addition increased [P] in plant tissue.The Na uptake by root and shoot tissues was depressed with the addition of P and K fertilizers.The higher K uptake increased K:Na ratio in both shoot and root tissues.The values of EC, SAR and [P], [Na], [Ca], [Mg],[Cl] and ratios of Na:K, Ca:P, Cl:P and SO 4 :P in the soil leachates significantly increased with saline irrigation.The P addition had significant bearing on the soil pH, SAR, [P], [SO 4 ], [CO 3 ] and [HCO 3 ] and Ca:P, Cl:P and SO 4 :P ratios in leachates.Saline irrigation significantly increased ECe, [Na], [K], [Ca], [Mg], [Cl], [CO 3 ], SAR and ratios of Ca:P, Cl:P and SO 4 :Cl in saturated extracts of post-harvest soils.This study could suggest