Reclamation of Saline–Sodic Soils with Combined Amendments: Impact on Quinoa Performance and Biological Soil Quality

María Alcívar, Andrés Zurita-Silva, Marco Sandoval, Cristina Muñoz and Mauricio Schoebitz
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María Alcívar: Department of Soils and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad de Concepción, Campus Chillan, Avenida Vicente Méndez 595, Chillán, Chile
Andrés Zurita-Silva: Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, (INIA), Centro de Investigación Intihuasi, Colina San Joaquin s/n, La Serena, Coquimbo, Chile
Marco Sandoval: Department of Soils and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad de Concepción, Campus Chillan, Avenida Vicente Méndez 595, Chillán, Chile
Cristina Muñoz: Department of Soils and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad de Concepción, Campus Chillan, Avenida Vicente Méndez 595, Chillán, Chile
Mauricio Schoebitz: Department of Soils and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agronomy, Universidad de Concepción, Campus Chillan, Avenida Vicente Méndez 595, Chillán, Chile

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the individual and synergic effects of the application of Biochar (B), Humic Substances (HS), and Gypsum (G) on the soil properties of a saline–sodic soil, and plant growth and seed quality (polyphenols, protein and yield) of quinoa. Treatments included (B) 22 t ha −1 , (HS) 5 kg ha −1 , and (G) 47.7 t ha −1 . Two quinoa genotypes from Arid Zones (AZ-51 and AZ-103) were selected and established in eight treatments. The B + HS + G combined treatment resulted in increases in root biomass of 206% and 176% in AZ-51 and AZ-103, respectively. Furthermore, electrical conductivity (ECe), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) decreased significantly in all treated soils. When compared to the control, ESP decreased 11-fold in the G treatment, and 9–13-fold in the B + G; B + HS; and B + HS + G treatments. Similarly, soil microbial biomass increased 112% and 322% in the B + HS + G treatment in AZ-51 and AZ-103 genotypes, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that the application of combined amendments (B + HS + G) represents an alternative for reclaiming degraded soils, including saline–sodic soils.

Keywords: biochar; humic substances; salinity; sodicity; ESP; microbial biomass (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3083-:d:166557

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