The Effect of Spent Mushroom Compost and Its Biochar on Parsley Yield under Salinity Stress

Mushroom compost is thrown away after mushroom harvesting as wastes. In order to investigate the effect of spent mushroom compost (SMC) and its biochar on growth parameters and some nutrients uptake by parsley under salinity stress, a completely randomized design experiment with three replications was carried out in green house of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. The Factors consisted of SMC and its biochar, each at two levels (0 and 3 % by weight) and at two levels of salinity (2 and 6 dS/m). The results showed that by increasing salinity from 2 to 6 dS/m, fresh and dry weight of aboveground part, concentration of iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus decrease significantly (P<0.01). In versus, sodium concentration was increased in aboveground part of the plant by increasing salinity. Application of organic fertilizers as SMC and its biochar increased nutrients uptake and plant growth parameters. Application of 3% biochar as compared to compost and control showed better results in terms of increasing growth parameters and nutrients uptake. The results of this study indicated that the compost and its biochar are able to decrease salinity stress as well as drought tension - due to their capacity of holding water. Therefore, reusing and safe disposing of compost wastes and their biochar could be an effective practice for improving soil nutrients and productivity.