Effect of Gypsum on Rice Growth in Three Salt- affected Agricultural Soils in the Ho-Keta Plain

Abstract

Aims: To assess the growth attribute of NERRICA- L19 rice in three salt-affected Agricultural soils amended with Gypsum from the Ho- Keta plain in the Volta region, Ghana. Study Design: Complete Randomized Design. Place and Duration of Study: Soil Research Institute, Kwadaso, Kumasi between June 2016 and July 2019. Methodology: Approximately 2.6 kg of the soil samples were taken from three different sites, namely, Anyako, Anyenui and Atiehife and were mixed thoroughly with different rates 0%, 75% and 100% of Gypsum, (CaSO4.2H2O) and filled into thirty six perforated polyvinyl plastic pots. The pots were saturated with water and incubated for 24 h. Twenty-one-day old seedlings of NERRICA- L 19 rice were transplanted into the pots, arranged in a randomized complete design and leached for four weeks. Core sample of the soils from each pot were taken and analyzed at the end of the experiment. Data on growth attributes (plant height, number of leaves and number of tillers) and leave tissue compositions (Ca, Mg, K, Na, P and N) were measured. Results: The study revealed that Gypsum rates at (75 and 100%) increased the growth attributes and tissue concentrations of NERRICA- L 19 rice compared to the control. Growth parameters, such as plant height, number of leaves and tiller for Anyako, Anyenui and Atiehife soils, increased as Gypsum levels increased with significant differences in the height of the plants and the number of plant leaves recorded (P = 0.05).  However there was no significant difference in tillers growth recorded for Atiehife soil, compared to Anyako and Anyenui soils (P = 0.05). The chemical constituents of the leave tissue, showed high composition of calcium and potassium than magnesium, while the composition of sodium decreased. The concentration of calcium, magnesium and potassium increased significantly at (P = 0.05) in Anyako and Atiehife soils with no-significant level in Anyenui soil. The trend was the same for the concentration of sodium. The concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus increased as the level of treatment increased. In respect to P accumulation, the differences were not significant in Atiehife soils, but was significant in Anyako and Anyenui soils. Conclusion: Gypsum application significantly enhanced nutrient uptake and increased the growth attributes of NERRICA - L19 rice compared to the control. Atiehife soil responded better to the reclamation process than the remaining soils, showing high growth performance. Gypsum applied at the rate of 16.92 kg/ha was recommended for adoption.