The event of partly grain-free ear is a crucial problem which can result in severe reductions in corn yield. In a two year field investigation, during 2003-2004, an experiment was conducted to determine the effect of  boron (B) and zinc (Zn) application on yield and yield components of corn (Zea mays L.) plants grown in a B and Zn-deficient calcareous soil (fine, carbonatic, thermic, Typic Hapl...

Assessing the ability of soil microorganisms to dissolute poorly soluble native calcite to supply Ca2+ is a new area to be explored in reclaiming sodic soils by supplying adequate Ca2+ and reducing the recurrent sodicity. Hence, the present study aimed to isolate a calcite dissolving bacteria (CDB) from calcareous sodic soils and to understand the mechanism of calcite dissolution. Of the 33 CDB...

Calcareous sediments are located in temperate and tropical areas near offshore hydrocarbon industries and petrochemical reserves such as the Persian Gulf of Iran. These sediments have complicated physical properties which make them completely different from silicate soils. Carbonate sediments are mainly formed by the skeletal remains of marine organisms. Therefore, a wide variety of engineering...

Carbon-rich biochar derived from the pyrolysis of biomass can sequester atmospheric CO, mitigate climate change, and potentially increase crop productivity. However, research is needed to confirm the suitability and sustainability of biochar application to different soils. To an irrigated calcareous soil, we applied stockpiled dairy manure (42 Mg ha dry wt) and hardwood-derived biochar (22.4 Mg...

1.1 Iron deficiency – The problem Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants, humans and other animals. An adequate uptake of Fe is needed to ensure proper growth and development, as well as good health of organisms (Marschner, 1995; Vasconcelos and Grusak, 2007). When provided with insufficient quantities of Fe, organisms will suffer from Fe deficiency symptoms. Fe deficiency is a worl...

Accumulation of heavy metals in Jordanian soils irrigated with treated wastewater threatens agricultural sustainability. This study was carried out to investigate the environmental fate of Zn, Ni, and Cd in calcareous soils irrigated with treated wastewater and to elucidate the impact of hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) amendment on metal redistribution among soil fractions. Results showed that sorpt...