Effect of Algae Extract and Compost Application on Maize (Zea mays L.) Yield Under Low Quality of Irrigation Water in North Delta of Egypt.

Lysimeter experiments were conducted at Sakha Agricultural Research Station Farm, North Delta, during two successive summer growing seasons (2013 and 2014) to study effect of alga extract and compost application on maize yield under irrigation using low water quality. The experiments were designed as split- plot with three replicates. The main plots were occupied by water irrigation including fresh water (F), drainage water (D), will water (W), F+D, F+W, D+W and F+D+W. Sub plots were control (T₁), compost extract (T₂), alga extract (T₃) and T₂+T₃. It is found that, irrigation water had a high significant effect on increasing salinity of the soil after the harvesting of plants during the two growing seasons. Consequently the effect of irrigation water types on soil salinity increased in the following order D+W ˃ F+D+W˃ F+W ˃ F+D ˃ W ˃ D. Alkalinity of the soil (SAR and ESP) was high significant increased due to irrigation water types during the two growing seasons. Mean values of SAR were increased by 22.8, 23.1, 25.3, 27.5, 29.5 and 27.5 %, respectively comparing with fresh water. Grain and straw yield of maize were high significantly increased in the combined treatments of compost and alga extract than those under their sole application and control during the two growing seasons. Irrigated with fresh water (control) gave the highest values of total content of nutrients for maize comparing with the treatments irrigated with different levels of saline water. Consequently the effect of irrigation water types on N, P and K uptake by maize plant can be arranged in the following order F ˃ F+D˃ D˃ F+W˃ F+D+W˃ D+W˃ W. Data clearly demonstrated that, the beneficial effects of compost and algae extract on the yield of maize and soil properties can be achieved under low quality irrigation water in north delta.

Key words: low quality irrigation water, compost, maize, alga extract, soil properties.