INFLUENCE OF PHOSPHORUS ENRICHED ACIDIFIED CARBON ON MAIZE GROWTH CULTIVATED IN SALT AFFECTED SOIL

Proper management of phosphorus (P) in salt -affected soils is one of the major issues for the achievement of maximum maize yield. Disturbance in ionic homeostasis in soil due to the high amount of water-soluble salts in saline soils decreases the balance uptake of phosphorus. Organic amendments can play an imperative role in this regard. The use of acidified carbon is one such technology. Its application can decrease the soil pH, and thus can enhance the available P in salt -affected soils. That's why the current study was conducted to explore the effect of acidified carbon on maize growth in salt -affected soils. There were 3 levels of phosphorus enriched acidified carbon (PEC) i.e., 0, 2.5 and 5.0% applied in normal and saline soil (5.32 dS/m EC). Results showed that 5.0 PEC significantly improved shoot length, root length, shoot fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll in maize compared to 0PEC in normal and saline soils. A significant improvement in leaves and root P concentration also validated the efficacious role of 5.0 PEC over 0PEC in normal and saline soils. In conclusion, 5.0PEC has the potential to improve phosphorus availability in salt -affected soils. It can also play an immense role in the improvement of maize growth in saline conditions. More, investigations are suggested at the field level under variable agro- climatic zones to declare 5.0PEC as the best application rate for enhancement of maize yield in saline soils.