Biochar, manure and superabsorbent improve the physical quality of saline‐sodic soil under greenhouse conditions

The increasing salinization and sodification of soils in drylands irrigated systems present a great challenge to agricultural production threaten soil quality. There is an urgent need investigate potential strategies remediate that are threatened by these processes. To address this challenge, the current study investigated effects organic inorganic amendments leaching fraction (LF) on physical hydraulic properties including water characteristic curve (SWCC), Dexter's index quality (SDexter), bulk density (BD), saturated conductivity (Ks) repellency (RI) saline-sodic soil. A greenhouse experiment was carried out completely randomized design with two factors (amendment LF). included superabsorbent (1%) [SA], zeolite modified CaCl2 (2%) [ZC], biochar [B], + manure [BM], control (no amendment) [CT], combined levels LF (15 30%). Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum UG99) planted columns. After harvest, undisturbed samples were collected from each column for determination properties. results demonstrated effectiveness SA enhance Ks decrease BD. significant (p < 0.01) positive effect amendments, particularly pore size distribution. amendment significantly increased retention, especially at high matric potentials (i.e., 0 –80 hPa). SWCC between those ZC amendments. BM treatments sub-critically repellent, while treatment repellency. SA, B BM15 exhibited very good (SDexter > 0.05). relative air moisture capacities optimal B-amended field capacity (matric –330 We conclude B, suitable reducing adverse salinity sodicity via improvement This article protected copyright. All rights reserved TABLE S1 Variance analysis amendment, their interaction (BD) within profile. S2 Effect (average LF15 LF30) S3 indices; ethanol sorptivity (SE), (SW) (RI). S4 S5 pores groups plant available water. S6 S7 indexes. S8 indexes (means ± standard errors). S9 Pearson's correlation matrix indices, physicochemical Please note: publisher not responsible content or functionality any supporting information supplied authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed corresponding author article.