Work

Application of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) and Biochar Improved the Performance and Yield of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in Saline Soils While Reducing Intrinsic Biochemical Attributes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Soil salinity is increasingly becoming a limiting factor for crop productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the impact of organic and inorganic soil amendments on the growth, yield, and biochemical attributes (total protein, proline, and malondialdehyde) of pearl millet and sorghum in salt-affected soils. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive cropping seasons, from June to September 2021 and January to April 2022. Pearl millet variety IP 19586 and sorghum variety ICSV-700 were exposed to five soil amendments, including a control, Leucaena leucocephala (a green manure applied at 5 t/ha), biochar (5 t/ha) made from palm shells, rock phosphate (2.5 t/ha), and dolomitic lime (3.3 t/ha). The experimental design used a split-plot design with randomized blocks, with crops as the primary plot factor and amendments as the subplot factor, each replicated three times. Inorganic fertilizers were applied to each plot at rates of 150 kg/ha NPK (15-15-15) and 100 kg/ha urea (46%). Results showed that different amendments significantly affected sorghum height, while pearl millet growth was not affected (P < 0.05). Amended plots showed a substantial improvement in pearl millet grain yield by approximately 64% (ranging from 49% to 101%) and sorghum grain yield by 159% (from 93% to 202%). Proline and MDA contents in pearl millet and sorghum were higher under the control treatment compared to other soil amendments. Leucaena and biochar were the most effective amendments in mitigating soil salinity throughout the crop growth periods. These treatments significantly improved pearl millet and sorghum grain yield and associated MDA content. It can be concluded that organic soil amendments (biochar and leucaena) significantly outperformed (P < 0.05) mineral soil amendments (rock phosphate and dolomite) in mitigating soil salinity. This finding holds great promise for agricultural researchers and practitioners seeking to enhance crop productivity in salt-affected soils while also reducing intrinsic biochemical attributes. However, further research is warranted to understand the seasonal dynamics of salinity under organic-based soil amendments.

Source: Open Journal of Soil Science

DOI: 10.4236/ojss.2025.158025