Toxicity due to salinity caused by the addition of excess compost in potted plants.

摘要

The effects of salinity associated with the application of farmyard manure (FYM) on pigeon pea were studied under greenhouse conditions. Nine samples of FYM were analysed for their salt contents, and the results indicated that these samples had high salinity levels (8.2-10.9 dS/m). Pigeon pea plants were grown in pots filled with soil:FYM:sand at a ratio of 6:3:1. At 2-3 weeks after germination, the plants showed 100% mortality as a result of the toxic effect of the medium. The electrical conductivity (EC) of soil, FYM or soil:FYM:sand mixed with water at a ratio of 1:5 was studied. FYM had the highest EC (4.6 dS/m), followed by soil:FYM:sand (0.83 dS/m) and soil alone (0.16 dS/m). The soil medium did not contain any significant concentration of salts, but mixing of FYM increased the salt content of the mixture, resulting in crop mortality.