Using different organic wastes to improve the quality of desert soils and barley (Hordeum vulgare) plant growth

The concept of the public in food safety, as well as environmental aspects, has newly improved to crops cultivated with organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers. A study was conducted on various organic wastes for the improvement of desert soils and the growth of Hordeum vulgare plants. Desert soil sample, Hordeum vulgare plants, different organic wastes (Waste food and Animals waste), were used in a completely randomized design with three replications. Five treatments were used included T1=control (without composts), T2=25%, T3=50%, T4=75% and T5 100% with composts. Soil chemical properties were influenced by the use of waste compost amendments. There was a decrease in the soil pH from 8.7 to 7.0 at 50% waste food and mixed compost treatments. The EC and TDS were increased under composite treatments however, the treatments at 75% waste food compost gave high values for the CEC 38.75 cmol/kg. The exchangeable Ca, Mg, Na, K, N were increased in compost treatments. NO3 was increased from 1.29 mg/kg (in control) to 1.41 mg/kg in soil treated with 75% food waste compost. Among composts, the applications of food waste compost at 10% gave the highest plant height (18.1 cm), the number of plant leaves (6), and root biomass (6.77g dry weight). The use of various composts particularly food waste compost can be used in desert soils to improve crop growth and yield of Hordeum vulgare crop.