Soil Properties and Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Production under Diverse Sources of Organic Amendments in Sibi, Balochistan

Abstract

The Province of Balochistan has an extensive geographical area facing numerous soil-related issues with poor soil fertility, soil salinity, soil erosion, and low contents of organic matter contents. The current organic amendments in cotton crops and intensive farming are further promoting the mentioned problems. The study was conducted with the following objectives (1) To evaluate the soil properties under different organic amendments in cotton fields (2) To assess the soil fertility and organic matter contents and identify the soil health and fertility of soil. (3) To estimate the cotton production under organic amendments. A field experiment was conducted including the treatments i.e Farm Yard Manure (FYM), Poultry Manure (PM), and Green Manure. Different levels of organic amendments were applied i.e FYM@20 kg that contained (0.5 % N, 0.2 % P₂O₅ and 0.5 % K₂O), PM@ 20 kg per plot (3.03 % N; 2.63 % P2O5 and 1.4 % K2O), Green Manure@ 10 Kg (Mixed Dhancha with Guar, and solar hemp (N, 7.9 %, P 2.2 %, k 1.9). Organic amendments significantly affected root morphology and physiology by improving soil nutrients and also soil properties. Furthermore, morphological and physiological parameters increased with 5 % organic manure, 6 % poultry manure, and 4% in green manure. A significant improvement in soil properties, increased in crop biomass production and yield of crops was noted with an increase in soil nutrient content at the bud stage and a positive relationship between root physiologies.