Responses of Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) to Acidic Saline Soils as Affected by Different Amendments

Soil salinity impedes the normal growth of plants by a number of mechanisms, including osmotic stress and imbalance absorption of essential nutrients. The present study focused on holistic approaches to the production of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) in clay loam acidic saline soils. In connection with this, spinach was grown in soils with two salinity levels (hereinafter referred to as soil A: high salinity and soil B: extreme salinity) in the presence of vermicompost (VC), wood ash (WA), and zeolite (ZL) applied at the rates of 1% and 2% (w/w) both alone and in combination along with N-P-K fertilizer. Results indicated better growth as well as the uptake of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sodium (Na) over control with significant (p < 0.01) differences when VC and WA were applied in combination. The Cshoot/Croot quotient of N, K, Ca, Mg, and Na was found greater than 1, whereas P was observed lower than 1. The Na: K, Na: Ca, and Na: Mg ratios were found to be highest in control that differed significantly (p < 0.01) from the rest of the amended soils. The present study suggests the combined application of VC and WA at the rate of 1% before cultivation to influence soil nutrient dynamics and plant growth in saline soils with acidic soil reactions.