Effect of bentonite and compost applications in some macro nutrients availability and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. )‎ in desert soil

Abstract EN

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate effect of some soil amendments as bentointe and compost in some nutrients availability and plant parameters of sorghum in desert soil.

Five levels of bentointe 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% (B0, B1, B2, B3 and B4) and Three levels of compost 0, 40 and 80 Mg ha-1 (C0, C1 and C2) were used in the study.

Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates were used.

The results showed that the bentonite and compost application significantly affected nutrients availability and plant parameters.

The level 12% (B4) of bentonite gave the highest increase of 29.45, 23.59 and 127.68% for N, P and K and increased dry weight, 1000 grains weight and grains yield of 103.55, 2.82 and 75.91% respectively.

The results showed also that the level 80 Mg ha-1 (C2) of compost gave the highest increase in N, P and K availability by 19.44, 67.49 and 61.35% while the plant parameters increased by 13.21, 3.23 and 22.35% for dry weight, 1000 grain weight and grains yield respectively as compared with control.

As for the interaction, the treatment (80 Mg ha-1 compost and 12% bentonite) achieved the highest value for nutrients availability and plant parameters under study.

The results showed a positive significant linear correlation between bentonite level with nutrients availability and plant parameters.