Abstract:
The effects of wheat straw, bone meal and their combinations
on maize plants were investigated in a pot experiment. Incorporation of
wheat straw into sandy soil reduced shoot growth criteria of maize plants
as compare with control plants. This effect was increase with increasing
the straw level. On the other hand, root growth was improved with the
straw addition. Bone treatments greatly improved shoot and root growth
of the used plants. Combination treatments (straw+bone) added more increase
in plant growth. Total chlorophyll and carotenoids content was reduced
in response to straw additions. Bone treatments either alone or in combination
with straw appeared to improve the level of these pigments in maize leaves.
On many occasions, the straw treatments decreased C, N, P, Ca, S, Mg and
Fe content of maize plants. The addition of bone to the soil, generally,
increased N, P and Ca, whereas decreased C level of maize plants. Although,
the addition of straw appeared to conserve soil water, it reduced the
estimated WUE. Bone application either alone or in combination with wheat
straw markedly increased WUE of maize plants. The WUE was positively correlated
with N, Ca and P content of the used amendments. Total soil bacterial,
actinomycetal and fungal count was increased in response to all used organic
amendments in relation with control soil. The highest microbial count
was recorded with the straw 2 + bone 2 treatment. It can be concluded
from this study that the application of bone either alone or in combination
with wheat straw is benefit for maize growth. But, the addition of the
straw alone has a negative effect on shoot growth at least in short application
experiments.
A.H. Ibrahim , 2009. Effect of Two Organic Amendments on Growth, Ions and Water Use Efficiency of Maize Plants Grown in Sandy Soil. Asian Journal of Biotechnology, 1: 142-153.
Subscribe Today 
