The Effects of Humic Acid Application on Yield and Yield Components of Wheat and Some Chemical Properties of a Saline-Sodic Soil

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

1 Associate Prof., Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Department, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research

2 M.Sc. of Soil Science, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Department, Fars Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural

Abstract

Background and Objective: One of the most important reasons for the decrease of yield in salt affected soils is ion toxicity, poor chemical and physical properties of soils, can have profound effects on crop ecosystems. In order to increase the plant production in saline soils, considering salinity and weather conditions, methods such as soil leaching, compatible plant cultivation, the use of suitable cultivars, agronomy operations, and the use of plant growth regulating agents have been proposed. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of humic acid compounds application on plant growth and yield and chemical characteristics of a saline-sodic soil.
Materials and Methods: In order to study the effect of humic acid on soil chemical characteristics, wheat growth and yield of Arg cultivar, an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. a split split plot experiment carried out as a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates in which there were 2 levels of irrigation salinity (2 and 10 dS/m) as the main plots, 4 levels of Humaster Food application in different stages of growth (without application, application in March or April and in both months) as the sub plots and also application of Pars Humic in 3 levels (0, 75 and 150 Kg/ha) randomly in every sub plot. Before planting and after harvesting, soil samples were taken from the soil and the amount of sodium ions, the sum of calcium and magnesium, electrical conductivity of saturated extract, sodium ratio, pH, and organic matter percentage were measured. At the end of the plant growth period, height, shoot yield, grain number per spike, 1000 seed weight and grain yield were measured and harvest index was calculated.
Results: The analysis of variance of the data obtained from the experiment showed that the interaction between Humasterfood and Pars Humic and the interaction effects of salinity, Humasterfood and Pars Humic on shoot dry weight were significant at p < 0.05. The effect of treatments on soil specific properties also showed that the interactions between salinity levels and Humasterfood and Pars Humic on sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) was significant at p < 0.01. Means comparison showed that the application of Humasterfood in March and April, decreased the concentration of sodium and calcium + magnesium, and SAR as amount as 37.3, 30.1, and 28.4 %, respectively. Also, this fertilizer increased the shoot dry weight as 8.5 % compared to control.
Conclusion: The ability of humic acid in humic acid containing fertilizers to modify the concentration of single and bivalent soil cations and changes in SAR, permeability and, finally, increased soil leaching are desirable and suggested their application in areas where soils are to be drainage constraints due to high SAR .

Keywords


1.Aiken, G.R., McKnight, D.M., Wershaw, R.L., and MacCarthy, P. 1985. An introduction to humic substances in soil, sediment and water, P 1-9. In: G.R. Aiken D.M. McKnight, R.L. Wershaw, and P. MacCarthy (eds.). Humic substances in soil, sediment and water: Geochemistry, isolation and characterization, Wiley, New York.
2.Alexandrova, I.V. 1977. Soil organic matter and the nitrogen nutrition of plants. Soil Science. 9: 293-301.
3.Ali Ehyaei, M., and Behbahani Zadeh, A.S. 1993. Explanation of soil chemical analysis methods (Volume I), Pub. No. 893, Soil and Water Research Institute, 129p. (In Persian)
4.Ashraf, M., and Foolad, M.A. 2007. Improving plant abiotic-stress resistance by exogenous application of osmoprotectants glycine betaine and proline. Environmental and Experimental Botany. 59: 206-216.
5.Ashraf, M., and Harris, P.J.C. 2004. Potential biochemical indicators of salinity tolerance in plants. Plant Science. 166: 3-6.
6.Aşık, B.B., Turan, M.A., Çelik, H., and Katkat, V. 2009. Effects of humic substances on plant growth and mineral nutrients uptake of wheat (Triticum durum cv. Salihli) under conditions of salinity. Asia. J. Crop Sci. 1: 87-95.
7.Atiyeh, R.M., Lee, S., and Edwards, C.A. 2002. The influence of humic acids derived from earthworm-processed organic wastes on plant growth. Bioresource Technology. 84: 7-14.
8.David, P.P., Nelson, P.V., and Sanders, D.C. 1994. A humic acid improves growth of tomato seedlings in solution culture. Plant Nutrition. 17: 173-184.
9.Ding, G.W., Mao, J.D., and Xing, B.S. 2001. Characteristics of amino acids in soil humic substances. Communication of Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 32: 13-14.
10.FAO. 1988. Salt-affected soils and their management. FAO soils bulletin 39, Rome, Italy, 131p.
11.Franzen, D. 2007. Salt accumulation processes. North Dakota state University. Fargo ND 58105, 12p.
12.Gao, S., Ouyang, C., Wang, S., Xu, Y., Tang, L., and Chen, F. 2008. Effects of salt stress on growth, antioxidant enzyme and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activities in Jatropha curcas L. seedlings. Plant, Soil Environ. J.
54: 374-381.
13.Gulser, F., Sonmez, F., and Boysan, S. 2010. Effects of calcium nitrate and humic acid on pepper seedling growth under saline condition. J. Environ. Biol. 31: 873-876.
14.Ihsanullah, D., and Bakhashwain, A.A. 2013. Effect of humic acid on growth and quality of maize fodder production.Pak. J. Bot. 45: 1. 21-25.
15.Kauser, A., and Azam, F. 1985. Effect of humic acid on wheat seeding growth. Environmental and Experimental Botany. 25: 245-252.
16.Kelting, M., Harris, J.R., Fanelli, J., and Appleton, B. 1998. Biostimulants and soil amendments affect two-year posttransplant growth of red maple and Washington hawthorn. Horticultural Science. 33: 819-822.
17.Khaled, H., and Fawy, H.A. 2011. Effect of different levels of humic acids on the nutrient content, plant growth, and soil properties under conditions of salinity. Soil Water Res. J. 1: 21-29.
18.Khan, A., Gurmani, A.L.I.R., Khan, M.Z., Hussain, F., Akhtar, M.E., and Khan, S. 2012. Effect of humic acid on the growth, yield, nu­trient composition, photosynthetic pigment and total sugar contents of peas (Pisum sativum L.).
J. Chem. Soc. Pak. 1: 1-7.
19.Khattak, R.A., Haroon, K., and Dost,
M. 2013. Mechanisms of humic acid induced beneficial effects in salt-affected soils. Scientific Research and Essays J. 8: 21. 932-939.
20.Lauchli, A., and Epstein, E. 1990. Plant response to salinity and sodic conditions. P 113-137, In: K.K. Tanji (ed.), Agricultural Salinity Assesment and Management). American Society of Civil Engineers. Manual and Report Engineering Practice.
 21.Lebron, I., Suarez, D.L., and Yoshida, T. 2002. Gypsum effect on the aggregate size and geometry of three sodic soil under reclamation. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 66: 92-98.
22.Liu, C., Cooper, R.J., and Bowman, D.C. 1998. Humic acid application affects photosynthesis, root development, and nutrient content of creeping bentgrass. Crop Science. 5: 235-242.
23.Liu, C., and Cooper, R.J. 2000. Humic substances influence creeping bentgrass growth. GolfCourseManagement.
Pp: 49-53.
24.Manzoor, A., Khattak, R.A., and Dost, M. 2014. Humic Acid and Micronutrient Effects on Wheat Yield and Nutrients Uptake in Salt Affected Soils. Inter. J. Agric. Biol.16: 991-995.
25.Mikkelsen, R.L. 2005. Humic materials for agriculture, Davis, California, USA. Better Crops with Plant Food. 89: 3. 6-7.
26.Mohamed, W.H. 2012. Effects of humic acid and calcium forms on dry weight and nutrient uptake of maize plant under saline condition, Austr. J. Basic Appl. Sci. 6: 8. 597-604.
27.Mohammad, S., Tanveer, S.K., Sattar Anjum, A., Javed, A., and Arshad Ullah, M. 2013. Evaluation of organic substrates for Wheat Production under Rainfed Conditions, 1 National Institute of OrganicAgriculture, NARC, Islamabad, Pakistan. Science Technology and Development. 32: 1. 1-6.
28.Mohammad, D., and Khattak, R.A. 2011. Wheat yield and chemical composition as influenced by integrated use of gypsum, pressmud and FYM in saline-sodic soil. J. Chem. Soc. Pak.
33: 82-86.
29.Muscolo, A., Sidari, M., Francioso, O., Tugnoli, V., and Nardi, S. 2007. The auxin-like activity of humic substances is related to membrane interactions in carrot cell cultures. J. Chem. Ecol.
33: 115-129.
30.Nardi, S., Pizzeghello, D., Muscolo, A., and Vianello, A. 2002. Physiological effects of humic substances on higher plants. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 34: 1527-1536.
31.Ounia, Y., Ghnayaa, T., Montemurrob, F., Abdellya, C.H., and Lakhdara, A. 2014. The role of humic substances in mitigating the harmful effects of soil salinity and improve plant productivity Inter. J. Plant Prod. 8: 3. ISSN: 1735-6814. (Print), 1735-8043 (Online) www.ijpp.info.Inter. J. Agric. Biol.
32.Pazira, E. 2011. The possibility improvement of saline and sodic soils using chemical materials, J. Water Soil Cons. 4: 27-44. (In Persian)
33.Piccolo, A., Celanoand, G., and Pietramellara, G. 1993. Effects of fractions of coal-derived humic substances on seed germination and growth of seedlings (Lactuca sativa and Lycopersicon esculentum). Biology and fertility of soil. 16: 11-15.
34.Pizzeghello, D., Francioso, O., Ertani, A., Muscolo, A., and Nardi, S. 2013. Isopentenyladenosine and cytokinin-like activity of different humic substances.
J. Geochem. Explor. 129: 70-75.
35.Qureshi, A.S., Qadir, M., Heydari, N., Turral, H., and Javadi, A. 2007. A review of management strategies for salt-prone land and water resources in Iran. International Water Management Institute, IWMI Working Paper 125, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 30p.
36.Rady, A.A. 2012. A novel organo-mineral fertilizer can mitigate salinity stress effects for tomato production on reclaimed saline soil. South Afric. J. Bot. 81: 8-14.
37.Rousta, M.J., and Enayati, K. 2013. Effect of organic and mineral amendments on mean-weight diameter of soil agglomerates, Watershed Management Research (Pajouhesh & Sazandegi), Spring 92. 26: 1. 24-33.
(In Persian)
38.Sangeetha, M., Singaram, P., and Devi, R.D. 2006. Effect of lignite humic acid and fertilizers on the yield of onion and nutrient availability. Proceedings of 18th World Congress of Soil Science July
9-15, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
39.Sanchez-Conde, M.P., Ortega, C.B., and Perz-Brull, M.I. 1972. Effect of humic acid on sugar beet in hydroponic culture. Anales de Edafologia y Agrobiologia. 31: 3/4. 319-331.
40.Shaaban, M., Abid, M., and Abou-Shanab, RAI. 2013. Amelioration of salt affected soils in rice paddy system by application of organic and inorganic amendments, Plant Soil Environ. J.
59: 5. 227-233.
41.Shanmuganathan, R.T., and Oades, J.M. 1983. Modification of soil physical properties by addition of calcium compounds.Australian. J. Soil Res.
21: 285-300.
42.Sharif, M., Khattak, R.A., and Sarir, M.S. 2002. Effect of different levels of lignitic coal derived humic acid on growth of maize plants. Communication in Soil Science and Plant Analysis.
33: 19. 3567-3580.
43.Tester, M., and Davenport, R. 2003. Na+ tolerance and Na+ transport in higher plants. Ann. Bot. J. 91: 503-527.
44.Trevisan, S., Francioso, O., Quaggiotti, S., and Nardi, S. 2010. Humic substances biological activity at the plant-soil interface. Plant Signal. Behavior J. 5: 1-9.
45.Türkmen, O., Demir, S., Sensoy, S., and Dursun, A. 2005. Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus and humic acid on seedling development and nutrient content of pepper grown under saline soil conditions. J. Biol. Sci. 5: 568-574.
46.Vaughan, D. 1974. A possible mechanism for humic acid action on cell elongation in root segments of Pisum sativum under aseptic conditions. Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 6: 241-247.
47.Walkley, A., and Black, T.A. 1934. An examination of the Dehigaroff method for determining organic matter and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science.
37: 29-38.
48.Yang, H.L., Hseu, Y.C., Hseu, Y.T.,
Lu, F.J., Lin, E., and Lai, J.S. 2004. Humic acid induces apoptosis in uman premyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. Life Sci. J. 75: 1817-1831.