THE EFFECT OF ANIMAL MANURE AND SULPHUR ON SOME SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES , GROWTH AND YIELD OF BROAD BEAN Vicia faba UNDER SALINE CALCAREOUS SOIL CONDITION

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted in silty clay alluvial calcareous salo orthid soil. Broad bean ( Vicia faba ), Spanish cultivar was grown during winter season 2009-2010, three animal manure levels ( Sheep residues ) 0,4 and 8 tons ha-1 and three sulphur % 98 treatments (0,2 and 4 ton ha-1) were used .Randomized Complete Black design in Factorial experiment was followed . The results indicated to positive effect of both animal manure and sulphur application on some soil physical properties . Soil bulk density was reduced at two animal manure levels 4and8 ton ha-1 and sulphur fertilization treatments 2and 4ton ha-1 non significantly. Meanwhile, water infiltration rate increased significantly at the above treatments of animal manure, sulphur and their interaction . The results indicated that some plant growth properties like plant height and No. of tillers / plant increased significantly and vegetative dry matter / plant non significantly as a response for the above treatments. On the other hand, some yield parameters namely , mean weight of pods/plant , weight of 1000 grains, total yield and pure total weight of grains per hectare were increased significantly under a favorable treatments under investigation . However , maximum grain yield reached about 2457 kgha-1 at the interactive treatment ( 8 ton animal manure + 4 tons sulphur ha-1) .The results did not indicate to an important increase in mean grain weight/ mean total pod weight ratio as well as in No. of pods/plant. From the above results it can be deduced that both of sheep residues and sulphur are considered to be a good sources for plant nutrition and to improve the physical , chemical of soil properties .