Effect of Different Calcium Sources on some Soil Chemical Properties and Garlic (Allium sativum L.)Productivity Under Saline Soil Conditions

Two field experiments were carried out at El- Road village, Sahl El-Hossinia, El-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, during two winter growing seasons: 2017/18 and 2018/2019 to study the effect of different calcium sources (calcium sulphate, calcium phosphate and calcium nitrate) at different rates (0, 100, 200 and 300 kg/fed) on some soil properties and garlic plants productivity under saline soil conditions. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replicates. The results showed that applications of different calcium sources at high rates decreased soil salinity and increased available macro and micronutrients contents in soil. The plant height (cm), No. of leaves/plant, No. of cloves / bulb and bulb diameter (cm) were increased with increasing calcium sources rates due to more reduction in soil salinity. While the application of the three calcium sources significantly increased fresh and dry weight of garlic bulb /plant (g) of the two growing seasons, the weight of garlic clover /plant (g) and bulb yield (ton/fed) significantly increased with increasing application rates of each calcium source in the second season. The interaction between calcium sources and rates showed significant increases in N, P and K concentration of bulb plants and significant decreases in Na+ concentration at both seasons. Calcium sulphate application reduced proline content, while chlorophyll contents were increased. Calcium nitrate application increased the protein contents (%) of garlic plants. These results cleared that calcium sulphate, calcium phosphate and calcium nitrate can be used at a rate of 300 kg/fed to improve soil properties and to increase yield and yield components of garlic plant grown under saline soil condition.