@article { author = {Al-Ghrairi, Saadi and Razaq, Ibrahim and Dwenee, Sadeq and Ali, Ali and Bajai, Saham}, title = {Evaluating phytomanagement as a biological reclamation method of salt-affected soils}, journal = {DYSONA - Applied Science}, volume = {3}, number = {1}, pages = {1-8}, year = {2022}, publisher = {E-NAMTILA}, issn = {2708-6283}, eissn = {2708-6283}, doi = {10.30493/das.2021.290704}, abstract = {Biological reclamation is one of the most suitable applications for cultivating and rehabilitating salt-affected soils. Field experiments were carried out on a large scale at Alatifiya Research Station 30km south of Baghdad for three seasons from 2012 to 2015. Various phytomanagement treatments were used, including sesbania, barley, chard, barley + chard, and control treatment (without cultivation). The dry matter of plants residues about 4000 kg.h-1 of each treatment was grounded to pass 2.0 cm sieve and then incorporated with the upper 40 cm layer of the soil at the end of each season. In the third season, all treatments were planted with barley and irrigated using groundwater of the same area. The results showed a significant reduction in electrical conductivity of the soil in all cultivation treatments compared to control treatment. Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) was reduced to less than 10 for all phytomanagement treatments, which is an appropriate limit for the growth of most plants. Also, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents were significantly increased under cultivation treatments. The soil aggregate stability percent was improved, which indicates the improvement of soil conditions over time. Grain yield of barley was significantly increased by 37.1%, 24.7%, 37.9%, and 52.2%, for sesbania, barley, chard, barley + chard treatments, respectively, compared to control. These observations confirm the effectiveness of this technique in the rehabilitation of salt-affected soils and is considered an open invitation for further research in the field under Iraqi conditions.}, keywords = {Salinity,Biological reclamation,Barley,Sesbania}, url = {https://applied.dysona.org/article_139120.html}, eprint = {https://applied.dysona.org/article_139120_349a9e767c5d55df2436bfa52178da8d.pdf} }