2 Management of Irrigation Water and Organic Matter Application Contribution in Improving Some Soil Properties and Yields-Water Productivity of Sugar Beet and Cotton in Salt Affected Soil

Corresponding author: megahedamer3@gmail.com Received : 16 / 02 / 2020 ; Accepted: 8 / 3 / 2020 DOI : 10.21608/jenvbs.2020.24121.1082 ©2020 National Information and Documentaion Center (NIDOC) TWO field trials were carried out at Sakha Agric. Res. Station Farm, Kafr El-Sheikh Gov., and Egypt during two successive growing seasons (2018/019 and 2019). The experiments were conducted in split-split plot design with three replicates. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of irrigation water management and organic matter application as partial replacement of mineral fertilizers on some soil properties, yield, water productivity of sugar beet and cotton and economic returns in salt affected soil. The main investigated factors included irrigation treatments at 80, 100 and 120%, respectively from evaporation pan class A. The fertilization treatments included applying N-fertilizer at three rates of 100, 80 and 60 % N from recommended dose in combination with compost (as 0, 20 and 40%). Two levels of K-humate (12 and 24 kg ha-1) were also applied. The results showed that cation exchange capacity, soil organic matter, infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity were influenced by all treatments and their interactions. Productivity of water or irrigation water, economic yield and net return from water unit for sugar beet and cotton were recorded the highest values with I1*N3*H2 interaction. Therefore, the irrigation and organic matter managements could be considered as a proper approach to sustain the soil and water resources in particular under salt affected soil.