Effect of Application of Farmyard Manure and Gypsum on Saline Sodic Soils of Raya Alamata District, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in Raya Alamata district, northern Ethiopia  to investigate the effect of sole and combined application of FYM and gypsum on saline sodic soils on yield of sorghum by supplying different rates of farmyard manure (FYM) and/or gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) application alone or both mixtures using a randomized complete block design for three consecutive years. The treatment used included: control, three FYM rates alone, two gypsum rates alone and six combination of FYM and gypsum with a total of 12 treatments. Each treatment was replicated three times to yield 36 experimental plots. The result indicated that, there was no significant difference between treatments in the first and second year of cropping season. However, the effect the amendments were shown in the third year of the cropping season, and hence, the treatment effect of the combined application of FYM and gypsum were more effective and improved soil properties and increased the yield of sorghum. In addition, compared to all other treatments, the combined application of 4 tha^-1 FYM + 100% GR followed by  8 tha^-1 FYM + 100% GR resulted the highest grain yield of sorghum  and reduced the sodium induced hazards than all other treatments. Hence, it is recommended as the best treatment in the improvement of saline  sodic soils of the district.

Keywords: Gypsum; Farmyard manure; Sorghum; Soil amendment; Soil properties

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-22-02

Publication date: November 30^th 2021