Effects of organic matter on Leymus chinensis germination, growth, and urease activity and available nitrogen in coastal saline soil

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of three organic matters (stalk powder, microbial fertilizer, and manure) on Leymus chinensis germination, growth, and urease activity and available nitrogen (N) in coastal saline soil. The study was conducted in a completely randomized design with eight treatments: J(0)V(0)Y(0), J(1)V(0)Y(0), J(0)V(1)Y(0), J(0)V(0)Y(1), J(1)V(1)Y(0), J(1)V(0)Y(1), J(0)V(1)Y(1), J(1)V(1)Y(1). The notations were based on the quantities of each agent added to 1 kg of coastal saline soil: J(0) - no straw powder, J(1) - 0.2 kg straw powder, Y-0 - no manure, Y-1 - 0.3 kg manure, V-0 - no microbial fertilizer, V-1 - 0.2 L microbial fertilizer, each in quantic repeat. L. chinensis was sown as 50 seeds per pot. Results indicated that addition of organic agents exerted a significantly enhanced germination, increase in fresh weight and elevated soil urease activity. Soil available N levels were significantly positively correlated with soil urease activity and fresh weight, but not with germination rate. It is noteworthy that the halophyte L. chinensis showed improved characteristics when grown in coastal saline soil with addition of organic amendments.