A Sustainable Agro-biotechnology for Bioremediation of Saline Soil

Abstract

To restore fertility and productivity of saline soil through bioremediation, a farm-scale trial was undertaken by exploring the effect of three factors, <i>viz, </i>soil conditioner <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">(SC<i>, </i>recycled agrowaste), halophiles culture, and a plant growth regulator (PGR), modified industrial byproduct. A three factor factorial design was used with each factor at two levels - the lower

level indicated no treatment, while the upper level indicated treatment, and there were eight experiments in all, which were replicated thrice. One out of the eight treatment combinations was without <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">SC<i>, </i>PGR, or halophiles inputs served as control. The plantation and growth of <i>Casuarina equisetifolia, </i>in the treated soils as per the design, was monitored through various

relevant parameters that included soil characteristics, level of (micro) nutrients, and exchangeable cations, and growth-related parameters. The analysis of data thus generated through appropriate ANOV A indicated an overwhelming role of SC in the

bioremediation of soil salinity and growth parameters of the C <i>equisetifolia </i>plantation, followed by that of halophiles and then the PGR as envisaged. The role of PGR was however important in first establishing the plantation in the saline soil, when halophiles get enough time to establish favourable pattern and concentration of microbes in soil by up to more than a million times of the initial microflora level of 5.9× 10³<i>/</i>g soil. Data collected up to six months clearly indicated bioremediation of the otherwise saline soil, and effectiveness of the given treatments was evident. It is proposed that such bio-measures may go a long way in converting large tracts of saline soils into Fertile ones with healthy soil-microflora in an eco-friendly manner which is cost-effective as well.

</span></span>