Effect of Natural Jordanian Volcanic Tuff on Growth, Irrigation Water Saving and Leaves Mineral Content
of Salvia officinalis

Saed J. Owais , Adel H. Abdel-Ghani , Ayoup M. Ghrair , Saddam A. Al-Dalain and Nedal Almajali

Jordan Journal of Agricultural Sciences,  2013

ABSTRACT

Environmental stresses such as low soil moisture and soil nutrient deficiency are the main causes for low productivity in arid and semi-arid regions. Soil amendments are one solution to minimize soil moisture evaporation and to improve plant nutrients uptake. The current study was carried out to examine the effect of different weathered and fresh volcanic tuff (WVT and FVT, respectively) application rates available in Jordanian market on growth, irrigation water saving and leaves mineral content of salvia Salvia officinalis. Plant growth was significantly (P ≤ 0.01) decreased by increasing WVT/FVT application, where the maximum reductions were detected in pure WVT and FVT treatments. Leaves sodium concentration were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased by 2 to 3 folds by VT application, however, other essential elements such as nitrogen, iron and manganese were decreased. The water consumption in VT amended soils was reduced from 46.5 to 67.8% and to the same extent as the total plant biomass (reductions ranged from 39 to 72%). Consequently, very marginal differences were observed between salvia plants grown in VT and pure soil treatments in water use efficiency. The high water potential of VT (i.e. can cause excess soil moisture around root system) might actually interfere with water uptake by oxygen-deprived roots and reduce plant growth. The plant growth reduction in VT amended soils might be also partially due to the slight increases in salt content and pH of growing substrates. Further research is needed to determine the effect of other types of Jordanian VT, particularly those with high zeolite and low salt and calcium carbonate content.

Keywords: Irrigation Water Saving, Leaves Mineral Content, Salt Strees, Volcanic Tuff, Water Stress.