Effect of Adding Different Mixing Ratios of Perlite and Compost to the Soil and Water Stress on some Physical Soil Properties, Growth Indicators, and Yield of Wheat Triticum aestivum L.

• Talal Jaber Abd AL Khanfous¹ and Saad Adnan Alkamash²

  Author

This study evaluated the effects of different mixing ratios of perlite and compost, applied individually or in combination, under two irrigation levels on selected soil physical properties and growth and yield-related indicators of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Agricultural Research Station, College of Agriculture and Marshes at University of Thi-Qar, based on three replications and completely randomized design. The soil-amendment factor comprised five levels: an unamended control, 10% perlite, 10% compost, 7.5% perlite + 2.5% compost, and 5% perlite + 5% compost, expressed on a soil-volume basis. Irrigation was maintained at either 100% or 75% of field capacity. Soil bulk density, total porosity, and moisture content were determined, together with plant height, spike length, flag leaf length, number of spikes per plant, plant dry mass, and 100-seed weight. Soil amendments significantly improved most measured soil and plant traits compared with the control. The 5% perlite + 5% compost treatment (T5) produced the highest mean total porosity (55.47%) and moisture content (28.24%), whereas the unamended soil showed the lowest values. Full irrigation (100% field capacity) generally produced greater growth responses than deficit irrigation at 75% field capacity. Significant amendment × irrigation interactions were observed for plant height, flag leaf length, and spike length. Highest values for these attributes were observed in the T5R1 combination (5% perlite + 5% compost with full irrigation), whereas unamended treatment under deficit irrigation showed the lowest responses. Soil amendment also boosted plant dry mass and 100-seed weight. Water stress lowered various growth markers . In general, the results showed that the combination of perlite and compost, especially 5% + 5% under full irrigation, was able to improve the physical status of the root-zone soil and enhance the wheat growth and yield related performance under the conditions of this experiment.

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