The effect of clay soil treatment with two levels of tobacco west compost and
organic fertilizer (15 and 30 ton/ h), in addition to mineral fertilizer treatment, with three
replicates of each treatment on some physical properties (Aggregate size di
stribution, main
weight diameter, bulk density and porosity) and chemical properties (Organic carbon,
humic and volvic acid and humification index for big and small soil aggregates was
studied.
The results showed that tobacco west compost and organic fertilizer were effective in
increment of soil content of organic carbon, which reached (20 and 26%) for organic
fertilizer, and (39 and 45%) for compost compared to the control, conducing to ameliorate
soil physical properties, where The main weight diameter, stable aggregate rate and soil
porosity were increased. Whereas, bulk density decreased significantly in both treatments
compared to the control. Compost treatment affect soil physical properties more than
organic fertilizer.Mineral fertilizer decreased soil content of organic carbon compared to
the control.
Humic and volvic acids contents were between 2.12 and 74.3 mg/kg aggregates in
the control,and compost treatments alternatively in macro aggregates (> 2mm). Wile,
volvic acid values were between 0.93 mg/kg in control for small aggregates (< 0.25), and
3.17 mg/kg aggregates in mineral fertilizer treatment for (0.25 – 2) aggregates.
Humification index values were less than 2 in macro aggregates, while it was bigger than 2
in small aggregates.
This study was conducted during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons in
Abu-Jarash orchards area in Damascus to identify the effect of improved
organic materials as sludge, manure and compost in improving some soil
physical characteristics and whea
t productivity. Results showed that the three
types of organic material affected the physical characteristics of the studied
soil. They decreased its bulk density, increased its total porosity and increased
its ability of holding water at field capacity. Results also showed that the
compost of city wastes was the best in improving soil physical properties. The
three organic materials, particularly the sludge increased the total productivity
of wheat (Sham3).