Summary
This laboratory incubation experiment examined how microbial fertiliser application interacts with soil salinity to influence hydraulic properties in two salt-affected soil types. Microbial fertiliser improved soil water holding and supply capacity in both secondary salinisation and coastal saline soils, with larger percentage increases observed in coastal saline soils (11.62–181.88%) than secondary salinisation soils (0.02–18.91%). The findings suggest microbial fertiliser could help mitigate adverse effects of soil salinity on plant water availability in affected agricultural regions.
UK applicability
The UK experiences limited secondary salinisation and coastal salinity stress compared to arid and semi-arid regions, so direct application of these findings to UK agricultural practice is modest. However, the mechanistic insights into microbial fertiliser effects on soil hydraulic properties may inform soil health improvement strategies in UK horticultural and arable systems where drainage or water retention is suboptimal.
Key measures
Saturated moisture content, field capacity, capillary fracture moisture, wilting coefficient, hygroscopic coefficient, soil water supply capacity, available water, readily available water, unavailable water
Outcomes reported
The study measured soil hydraulic properties (saturated moisture, field capacity, capillary water, wilting coefficient, hygroscopic coefficient) and water availability in secondary salinisation and coastal saline soils treated with microbial fertiliser at varying salinity levels. Microbial fertiliser application improved water holding capacity and supply capacity across soil types, with differential responses between secondary salinisation and coastal saline soils.
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