Effects of nano iron oxide powder and urban solid waste compost coated sulfur on chemical properties of a saline-sodic soil

The main limiting factors in saline-sodic soils are high amounts of salts, low soil organic matter (SOM) and low availability of macro and micro-nutrients. The effect of different amounts of nano iron oxide powder and urban solid waste compost coated sulfur (USWCS) on the chemical properties of a saline-sodic soil was investigated. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement and three replications, in a farm near Qom city. Treatments used in this study included USWCS (0 and 15 ton/ha) and nano iron oxide powder (0 and 20 mg/kg); treatments were applied to treated plots of 4 m2 and sunflower seeds were sown. The results show that 20 mg/kg of nano-iron oxide, significantly (P<0.05) increased electrical conductivity of saturation extract (ECe), availability of nutrient elements (5.26, 30, 18.18% for phosphorous (P), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu), respectively) in soil, while nitrogen (N), pH and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) in soil decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Fifteen (15) tons/ha of USWCS significantly increased soil ECe (6.1%), micro and macro-nutrients amounts (8.3, 21.1, 46.6, 45. 5, and 14.9% for N, P, Fe, Cu, and Manganese (Mn) respectively), but significantly (P < 005) decreased the soil pH and SAR, compared to the control. The combined effect of 20 mg/kg of nano iron oxide and 15 ton/ha of USWCS increased micro-nutrient availability, but decreased soil pH and SAR significantly. It was concluded that the combined application of USWCS and nano iron oxide increased the availability of nutrients in saline-sodic soil.