ISSN 1392-3196       ŽEMDIRBYSTĖ=AGRICULTURE	 		Vol.	97,	No.	4	(2010) 15
ISSN 1392-3196 
Žemdirbystė=Agriculture,	vol.	97,	No.	4	(2010),	p.	15–22
UDK		631.872:[631.442.2+631.445.52]:633.15
Effects of humus on growth and nutrient uptake of maize 
under saline and calcareous soil conditions
Hakan	ÇELİK,	Ali	Vahap	KATKAT,	Barış	Bülent	AŞIK,	Murat	Ali	TURAN
Uludağ	University	
16059	Bursa,	Turkey  
E-mail:	hcelik@uludag.edu.tr
Abstract
Greenhouse	research	was	conducted	to	determine	the	effects	of	soil	application	of	humus,	on	dry	matter	
and	N,	P,	K,	Ca,	Mg,	Fe,	Cu,	Zn,	Mn	and	Na	uptake	of	maize	grown	under	calcareous	and	saline	soil	
conditions.	Stress	conditions	were	obtained	by	adding	40%	CaCO3	and	60	mM	NaCl	to	the	soil.	Humus	
was	applied	to	the	soils	at	0,	1	and	2	g	kg-1	doses	at	the	beginning	of	the	treatment.	Solid	humus	and	
CaCO3	were	mixed	according	to	 the	application	doses,	and	the	total	weight	of	 the	soil	was	adjusted	
to	5	kg.	The	mixture	was	homogenised	and	put	into	polyethylene-covered	plastic	pots	(20	x	18	cm).	
A	60 mM	NaCl	solution	was	added	to	the	salt-treated	pots.
CaCO3 and	NaCl	both	negatively	affected	the	plants’	growth,	lowering	the	dry	weights	of	the	plants	due	
to	the	stress,	and	decreasing	the	mineral	nutrient	amounts,	except	for	sodium.	Although	the	application	
of	 humus	 had	 no	 apparent	 affects	 on	 the	 control	 pots,	which	 received	 no	 lime	 or	 salt	 applications,	
the	humus	applications	had	significant	effects	under	the	calcareous	and	saline	conditions.	The	lower	
application	dose	of	humus	elevated	the	dry	matter	yield	and	some	nutrient	element	uptakes	under	the	
stress	conditions.	The	increases	at	the	higher	dose	were	found	to	be	smaller	than	those	at	the	lower	dose	
of	humus	except	for	potassium	and	calcium	uptake.
Soil	application	of	humus	could	minimise	the	negative	effects	of	saline	and	calcareous	soil	conditions	
on	 nutrient	 uptake	 and	 plant	 development	 but	 further	 studies	 are	 required	 to	 determine	 economical	
application	levels.
Key	words:	humus,	interaction,	lime,	salt,	maize.	
Introduction
With	the	continued	and	rapid	increase	in	the	 and	the	availability	of	plant	nutrients	(FAO,	1973).	
world	population,	it	has	become	of	vital	importance	 Excess	calcium	carbonate	poses	serious	problems	to	
to	obtain	higher	yields	per	unit	area	of	agricultural	 plant	nutrition;	it	raises	the	pH	of	soil	to	high	levels	
production.	For	this	reason,	the	plants’	water	and	nu- (8.0	 to	 8.4)	 at	which	plant	 nutrients	 are	 relatively	
trient	needs	must	be	met.	Calcareous	soil	conditions	 unavailable.	Increased	losses	of	nitrogen	ammonia	
are	an	important	factor	for	nutrient	availability	and	 and	reduced	solubility	of	phosphorus	occur	in	these	
agricultural	production.	Calcareous	soils,	which	are	 types	of	soil.	The	micronutrients	zinc,	iron,	manga-
defined	as	having	significant	quantities	of	free	ex- nese	and	copper	tend	to	be	less	available	at	higher	
cess	lime	(CaCO pH	levels.	Thus,	this	negatively	affects	soil	fertility	3	or	MgCO3),	are	very	common	in	
Mediterranean	areas	and	represent	the	dominant	soil	 (Mortvedt,	2000;	Çelik	et	al.,	2008).	
type	in	many	arid	and	semiarid	climates,	compris- Plant	growth	and	yield	are	reduced	in	salt-
ing	over	600	million	ha	of	soils	worldwide	(Leytem,	 affected	soil	because	of	the	excess	uptake	of	poten-
Mikkelsen,	2005).	Salinity	is	another	common	prob- tially	toxic	ions	(Grattan,	Grieve,	1999).	Soil	salinity	
lem	in	 these	climates	(Li	et	al.,	2005).	Calcareous	 is	characterised	by	high	amounts	of	Na+,	Mg2+,	Ca2+,	
soils	particularly	affect	the	soil	properties	related	to	 Cl-,	HCO -,	 SO 2-3 4 	 ions	 and	boron	 (B),	which	have	
plant	growth,	whether	they	are	physical,	such	as	the	 negative	effects	on	plant	growth.	The	general	effect	
soil-water	relations,	or	chemical,	such	as	its	fertility	 of	 soil	 salinity	 on	 plants	 is	 called	 a	 physiological	
16 Effects of humus on growth and nutrient uptake of maize under saline and calcareous soil conditions
drought	effect.	The	high	salt	content	decreases	the	 by	the	hydrometer	method	(Tan,	2005).	Its	pH	and	
osmotic	 potential	 of	 soil	water,	 and	 consequently,	 electrical	 conductivity	 (EC)	 were	 measured	 in	 a	
this	reduces	the	availability	of	soil	water	for	plants.	 1:2.5	 water	 extract	 and	 lime	 was	 determined	 ac-
Briefly,	 the	uptake	of	water	by	plant	roots	 is	 limi- cording	to	the	method	of	Tan	(2005).	Organic	mat-
ted	by	increased	amounts	of	Na	and	Cl.	Eventually;	 ter	content	was	analysed	according	to	the	modified	
high	salt	concentrations	in	the	soil	reduce	the	plants’	 Walkley-Black	method	 (Nelson,	 Sommers,	 1982).	
absorption	 of	 nutrients.	 Thus,	 salinity	 negatively	 Total	 nitrogen	 was	 determined	 according	 to	 the	
affects	 the	 fertility	 of	 the	 soil	 (Pessarakli,	Tucker,	 Kjeldahl	method	using	a	Buchi	K-437/K-350	diges-
1988;	Grattan,	Grieve,	1999;	Aşık	et	al.,	2009).	 tion/distillation	 unit	 (Tan,	 2005).	Available	 P	 was	
The	fertility	of	soils	is	also	related	to	their	 determined	 using	 a	 “Shimadzu	 UV	 1208”	 model	
organic	 matter	 (OM)	 contents.	 Humic	 substances	 spectrophotometer	 according	 to	 the	Olsen	method	
(humic	and	fulvic	acids)	are	the	major	components	 (Tan,	2005).	Exchangeable	cations	(Na,	K,	Ca	and	
of	 soil	 organic	 matter,	 and	 the	 term	 “humus”	 is	 Mg)	 were	 extracted	 with	 ammonium	 acetate	 at	
widely	accepted	as	a	synonym	for	soil	organic	mat- pH 7.0	(Pratt,	1965)	and	were	determined	using	an	
ter	(Chen,	Aviad,	1990).	Humic	substances	improve	 “Eppendorf	 Elex	 6361”	 model	 flame	 photometer.	
soil	 fertility	 by	 modifying	 the	 physical,	 chemical	 Available	Fe,	Cu,	Zn,	and	Mn	were	extracted	with	
and	biological	conditions	in	the	soil.	In	many	stud-
ies,	humic	substances	have	shown	positive	effects	on	 DTPA	 (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic	 acid)	 (0.005	
plant	biomass	(Chen,	Aviad,	1990;	Lobartini	et al.,	 M	DTPA	+	 0.01	M	CaCl2	 +	 0.1	M	TEA	 pH	 7.3)	
1997;	Nardi	 et	 al.,	 2002).	These	 substances	 affect	 (Lindsay,	Norvell,	1978)	and	were	determined	us-
the	solubility	of	many	nutrient	elements	by	building	 ing	a	“Philips	PU9200x”	model	atomic	absorption	
complex	forms	or	chelating	agents	of	humic	matter	 spectrophotometer.	 These	 chemical	 and	 physical	
with	metallic	cations	(Lobartini	et	al.,	1997).	 properties	of	the	soil	used	in	the	research	are	given	
Recent	 studies	 (Chen,	Aviad,	 1990;	Nardi	 in	Table	1.	
et	 al.,	 2002;	Çelik	 et	 al.,	 2008;	Aşık	 et	 al.,	 2009)	 The	experiment	was	conducted	in	a	green-
have	summarised	the	effects	of	humic	substances	on	 house	using	a	completely	randomised	factorial	de-
plant	growth	and	mineral	nutrition	and	their	positive	 sign	with	three	replications.	Stress	conditions	were	
effects	on	seed	germination,	seedling	growth,	 root	 obtained	by	adding	40%	CaCO3	and	60	mM	NaCl.	
initiation,	root	growth,	shoot	development	and	the	 Humus	was	applied	to	the	soils	at	0,	1	and	2	g	kg-1 
uptake	of	macro-	and	microelements.	Masciandaro	 doses	at	the	beginning	of	the	treatment.	Humus	was	
et	al.	(2002)	also	pointed	out	that	humic	substances	 obtained	 from	 solid	 Deltahumus	 (65%	 w/w,	 pH:	
might	counteract	abiotic	stress	conditions	(e.g.,	un- 4.87,	EC:	5.80	mS	cm-1)	derived	 from	 leonardite,	
favourable	temperature,	pH,	and	salinity)	enhancing	 which	 is	 a	 commercial	 product	 of	 “Delta	Chemi-
the	uptake	of	nutrients	and	reducing	the	uptake	of	 cals	Co”.	
some	toxic	elements.	However,	the	growth	response	 Air-dried	soil	sample	was	passed	through	a	
of	 plants	 has	 not	 been	 adequately	 studied	 under	 4-mm	sieve.	Solid	humus	and	CaCO3	were	put	into	
abiotic	stress	conditions.	 a	 large	bowl	according	to	 the	doses	 to	be	applied,	
The	 purpose	 of	 this	 work	 was	 to	 deter- and	the	total	weight	of	the	soil	was	adjusted	to	5 kg.	
mine	the	effects	of	soil	application	of	humus	on	the	 The	mixture	was	 homogenised	 and	 put	 into	 poly-
growth	and	nutrient	uptake	of	maize	grown	under	 ethylene-covered	plastic	pots	(20-cm	diameter	x	18-
saline	and	calcareous	soil	conditions.	 cm	depth).	A	60	mM	NaCl	 solution	was	added	 to	
the	salt-treated	pots.	The	pots	were	incubated	for	30	
Materials and methods days.	A	basal	 fertiliser	consisting	of	nitrogen	(100	
The	 soil	 used	 in	 this	 study	 was	 collected	 mg	kg-1	as	NH4NO3),	phosphorus	(80	mg	kg
-1),	po-
from	a	0–20	cm	depth	in	a	field	located	at	the	Agri- tassium	(100	mg	kg-1	as	KH2PO4),	and	zinc	(0.5	mg	
cultural	Research	and	Application	Center	of	Uludag	 kg-1 as	ZnSO4)	was	applied	to	the	pots	before	plant-
University.	The	soil	was	classified	as	Vertisol	(Typic ing.	Four	hybrid	maize	plants	(Zea mays	L.	cultivar	
Haploxerert)	 according	 to	 Soil	 Taxonomy	 and	 as	 ‘Fleuri	AG	92149’)	were	grown	in	each	pot.	
Eutric Vertisol	 according	 to the FAO/Unesco	 soil	 After	 a	 two-month	 growing	 period,	 the	
classification	system	(Özsoy,	Aksoy,	2004).	 plant	materials	were	harvested	and	rinsed,	first	with	
Some	physical	 and	chemical	properties	of	 tap	 water	 and	 twice	 with	 deionised	 water.	 They	
the	soil	were	analysed.	 Its	 texture	was	determined	 were	dried	in	a	forced-air	oven	at	70°C	for	72	h	and	
ISSN 1392-3196       ŽEMDIRBYSTĖ=AGRICULTURE	 		Vol.	97,	No.	4	(2010) 17
their	dry	weights	were	determined.	The	plant	sam- Statistical	 analysis	 of	 all	 of	 the	 data	were	
ples	were	ground	and	wet	digested	using	a	HNO3	+	 performed	using	the	Tarist	statistical	software,	and	
HClO4	mixture.	Their	total	nitrogen	content	was	de- the	 mean	 values	 were	 compared	 using	 the	 LSD	
termined	by	the	Kjeldahl	method	(Tan,	2005)	using	 (least	 significant	 differences)	 multiple	 range	 tests	
a	Buchi	K-437,	K-350	digestion/distillation	unit.	P	 (p <	0.01	and	p <	0.05).	
was	determined	by	 the	vanadomolybdophosphoric	
method	(Lott	et	al.,	1956)	using	a	“Shimadzu	UV- Results and discussion
1208”	 spectrophotometer.	Na,	K	 and	Ca	were	de- The	soil	used	in	the	experiment	had	a	sandy	
termined	by	the	flame	emission	method	(Horneck,	 clay	texture	and	neutral	pH.	It	had	low	lime,	salt	and	
Hanson,	 1998)	 using	 an	 “Eppendorf	 Elex	 6361”	 organic	matter	contents.	The	nitrogen,	phosphorus	
flame	photometer.	Fe,	Mn,	Zn	and	Cu	were	deter- and	 zinc	 contents	 of	 the	 soil	 were	 not	 adequate	
mined	by	atomic	absorption	spectrometry	(Hanlon,	 (Table	1).	
1998)	using	a	“Philips	PU	9200x”	atomic	absorp-
tion	spectrophotometer	(“Pye	Unicam”	Ltd.,	GB).	
Table 1.	Some	chemical	and	physical	properties	of	the	soil	used	in	the	experiment	
Texture	class Exchangeable	cations Available	
EC	
Sandy	clay OM	 N P	 mg	kg-1
micronutrients
pH mS	 CaCO3 mg	kg-1
-1
Sand	 Loam	 Clay	 cm-1 % % % mg	kg
% % % Na K Ca Mg Fe Cu Zn Mn
45.15 15.22 39.63 7.24 0.83 0.22 1.30 0.08 7.96 39.1 175.5 3852 282 5.56 1.30 0.20 10.44
The	 effects	 of	 the	 soil	 application	 of	 hu- trol	pots,	they	averaged	only	0.92	g	pot-1	in	the	pots	
mus	on	growth,	the	uptake	of	mineral	nutrients	and	 to	which	salt	and	lime	had	been	applied.	The	high	
their	 interactions	between	 lime	 levels	are	given	 in	 salt	content	decreased	the	osmotic	potential	of	soil	
Tables	2–4.	Lime	and	salt	negatively	affected	seed	 water	and,	consequently,	reduced	the	availability	of	
germination	and	decreased	the	dry	weight	yield	of	 soil	water	 for	 plants.	Briefly,	 germination	 and	 the	
the	maize	plants	(Table	2).	While	the	dry	weight	of	 uptake	of	water	by	plant	roots	were	limited	by	in-
the	maize	plants	averaged	21.94	g	pot-1	in	the	con- creased	amounts	of	Na	and	Cl.	
Table 2.	Effects	of	soil	applied	humus	on	dry	matter	yield	of	maize	(g	pot-1)	
-1
Salt	(SA)	 Lime	(LI)	 Humus	(HU)	g	kg
mM % 0 1 2 Mean
0 21.94 a B 24.22 a A 21.53 a B 22.56 a
0 40 3.94 b B 9.68 b A 9.57 b A 7.73 b
Mean 12.94 a B 16.95 a A 15.55 a A 15.15 a
0 10.77 a B 12.79 a A 11.06 a AB 11.54 a
60 40 0.92 b B 1.39 b B 3.82 b A 2.04 b
Mean 5.85 b B 7.09 b AB 7.44 b A 6.79 b
Total	mean 9.39 B 12.02 A 11.50 A
HULSD<0.01:	1.345 SA	x	LILSD<0.01:	1.554 HU	x	SA	x	LILSD<0.05:	1.987
SALSD<0.01:	1.099 HU	x	SALSD<0.05:	1.405
Notes.	The	differences	between	values	by	different	letters	are	significant.	Capital	letters	for	each	row	and	small	letters	
for	each	column.	
18 Effects of humus on growth and nutrient uptake of maize under saline and calcareous soil conditions
The	 lime	and	 salt	 levels	 also	had	negative	 The	soil	application	of	humus	had	a	statis-
effects	on	the	uptake	of	some	macro-	and	micronu- tically	 significant	 effect	 on	 the	 uptake	 of	 nutrient	
trient	elements	(Tables	3	and	4).	In	control	pots,	the	 elements	(p	<	0.01)	except	for	Fe	and	Na	(Table	3	
maize	plants	took	up	408.64	g	N	pot-1,	66.55	g	P	pot-1,	 and	4).	Under	saline	and	calcareous	soil	conditions,	
478.80	g	K	pot-1,	89.72	g	Ca	pot-1,	67.79	g	Mg	pot-1,	 increasing	amounts	of	humus	elevated	the	nutrient	
1.70	g	Fe	pot-1,	0.18	g	Zn	pot-1,	0.09	g	Cu	pot-1	and	 uptake	compared	to	the	control.	The	highest	values,	
1.53	g	Mn	pot-1,	while	in	pots	that	received	salt	and	 except	for	Na,	were	found	with	the	second	dose	of	
lime	applications,	the	plants	took	up	only	30.97	g	 humus.	Under	stress	conditions,	the	highest	nutrient	
N	 pot-1,	 1.37	 g	 P	 pot-1,	 23.01	 g	 K	 pot-1,	 10.36	 g	 uptakes	from	the	second	dose	of	humus	were	75.71	
Ca	pot-1,	3.24	g	Mg	pot-1,	0.08	g	Fe	pot-1,	0.01	g	Zn	 g	N	pot-1,	4.75	g	P	pot -1,	102.33	g	K	pot-1,	19.75	g	
pot-1,	0.01	g	Cu	pot-1	and	0.09	g	Mn	pot-1. Ca	pot-1,	14.39	g	Mg	pot-1,	0.20	g	Fe	pot-1,	0.05	g	Zn	
Calcareous	soils	are	characterised	by	high	 pot-1,	0.03	g	Cu	pot-1	,	and	0.40	g	Mn	pot-1.	
carbonate	contents,	high	Ca2+	concentrations	in	the	 According	to	the	general	mean	values,	the	
soil	solution	and	high	pH	levels	(Mengel,	Kirkby,	 highest	uptakes	of	N	(227.06	g	pot-1),	P	 (29.61	g	
1982).	 Micronutrient	 deficiencies	 often	 occur	 in	 pot-1),	Mg	 (46.19	 g	 pot-1),	 Fe	 (0.77	 g	 pot-1),	Mn	
plants	grown	in	calcareous	soils	because	of	high	pH	 (1.09	g	pot-1)	and	Na	(5.14	g	pot-1)	were	found	af-
(Kacar,	Katkat,	2009).	Similarly,	in	saline	soil,	the	 ter	the	lower	dose	of	humus	(1	g	kg-1).	The	high-
solubility	of	micronutrients	is	particularly	low,	and	 est	uptakes	of	K	(304.43	g	pot-1)	and	Ca	(59.38	g	
plants	grown	in	saline	soils	often	show	micronutri- pot-1)	were	measured	at	the	higher	dose	of	humus	
ent	deficiencies	(Page	et	al.,	1990).	Many	labora- (2	g	kg-1).	Zinc	(0.11	g	pot-1)	and	Cu	(0.10	g	pot-1)	
tory	and	greenhouse	studies	have	also	shown	that	 uptakes	 were	 not	 affected	 by	 the	 higher	 dose	 of	
salinity	can	reduce	N	accumulation	(Alam,	1994),	 humus.	 Various	 researchers	 (Chen,	Aviad,	 1990;	
P	concentration	 (Navarro	et	al.,	2001)	and	K	up- Erdal	 et	 al.,	 2000;	Ahmed	 et	 al.,	 2010)	 have	 re-
take	 in	 plants	 due	 to	 competition	 by	Na	 (Lopez,	 ported	 increases	 in	plant	growth	and	nutrient	up-
Satti,	1996).	High	Na	in	the	soil	solution	also	has	 take	with	the	application	of	humic	acid.	Tan	(2003)	
an	antagonistic	effect	on	the	uptake	of	Ca	and	Mg	 determined	a	significant	increase	in	N	content	and	
(Bernstein,	1975).	This	antagonism	is	most	likely	 stimulated	dry	matter	production	from	corn	seed-
caused	by	the	displacement	of	Ca	in	membranes	of	 ling	shoots.	Humic	matter	can	affect	the	solubili-
root	cells	(Yermiyahu	et	al.,	1997).	The	solubility	 ty	of	 insoluble	phosphorus	compounds	 in	 soil	by	
of	the	plant	nutrients	was	negatively	affected,	and	 its	 chelation	 capacity,	 and	 chelated	 metals	 are	
all	of	these	factors	caused	poor	development	of	the	 also	available	 to	plants	by	exchange	(Tan,	2003).	
plants. When	humus-treated	soils	are	fertilised,	exchange	
Although	the	effects	of	increasing	amounts	 and	chelation	sites	become	saturated	with	macro-	
of	 humus	 applications	 on	 the	 dry	weight	 yield	 of	 and	micronutrients,	 and	 plant	 roots	 can	 thus	 ob-
maize	were	not	found	to	be	statistically	significant	in	 tain	the	adsorbed	cations	by	cation	exchange.	This	
control	plots,	they	were	statistically	significant	un- exchange	 between	 humic	 matter	 and	 plant	 roots	
der	stress	conditions.	The	dry	weight	was	1.39	g	pot-1 is	 also	 important	 for	 the	 salt	 balance	 of	 the	 soil.	
at	the	first	dose	of	humus	and	it	increased	to	3.82	g	 High	salt	 concentrations,	which	are	usually	 toxic	
pot-1	with	the	second	dose	of	humus.	Under	calcare- to	 plants,	 can	 be	 alleviated	 by	 the	 adsorption	 of	
ous	soil	conditions,	the	first	and	second	applications	 humic	 acid.	 This	 exchange,	 facilitated	 by	 humic	
of	humus	increased	the	dry-weight	yield	from	3.94	 acid,	allows	plants	to	grow	within	a	wide	pH	range	
g	pot-1	to	9.68	g	pot-1	and	9.57	g	pot-1,	respectively.	 (Tan,	 2003).	 Our	 results	 confirm	 earlier	 findings	
Under	saline	soil	conditions,	the	first	and	second	ap- that	humic	acid	can	increase	the	uptake	of	nutrient	
plications	of	humus	increased	the	dry-weight	yield	 elements	and	stimulate	 the	dry	matter	production	
from	10.77	g	pot-1	to	12.79	g	pot-1	and	11.06	g	pot-1,	 of	 shoots	under	 saline	and	calcareous	 soil	 condi-
respectively.	Türkmen	et	al.	(2004)	and	Gülser	et	al.	 tions.	
(2010)	similarly	reported	that	1000	mg	kg-1	of	hu-
mic	acid	application	positively	affected	the	growth	
of	tomato	and	pepper	plants	grown	under	saline	soil	
conditions,	but	high	doses	of	humic	acid	inhibited	
plant	growth.	
ISSN 1392-3196       ŽEMDIRBYSTĖ=AGRICULTURE	 		Vol.	97,	No.	4	(2010) 19
Table 3.	Effects	of	humus	on	some	macronutrients	uptake	of	maize	(mg	tdw-1)	
Salt	(SA)	 Lime	(LI)	 Humus	(HU)	g	kg-1
mM % 0 1 2 Mean
Nitrogen	(N)
0 408.68 433.67 422.09 421.48 a
0 40 127.18 217.43 185.85 176.82 b
Mean 267.93 a B 325.55 a A 303.97 a A 299.15 a
0 230.90 205.28 202.79 212.99 a
60 40 30.97 51.86 75.71 52.85 B
Mean 130.94 b A 128.57 b A 139.25 b A 132.92 b
Total	mean 199.44 B 227.06 A 221.61 A
HULSD<0.01:	19.754 SALSD<0.01:	16.129 SA	x	LILSD<0.01:	22.810 HU	x	SALSD<0.01:	27.937 HU	x	SA	x	LILSD:	ns
Phosphorus	(P)
0 66.55 72.69 61.26 66.83 a
0 40 4.11 12.66 12.90 9.89 b
Mean 35.33 a B 42.67 a A 37.08 a B 38.36 a
0 29.74 31.32 25.99 29.01 a
60 40 1.37 1.78 4.75 2.63 b
Mean 15.55 b A 16.55 b A 15.37 b A 15.82 b
Total	mean 25.44 B 29.61 A 26.23 B
HULSD<0.01:	3.352 SALSD<0.01:	2.737 SA	x	LILSD<0.01:	3.871 HU	x	SALSD<0.05:	3.501 HU	x	SA	x	LILSD:	ns
Potassium	(K)
0 478.80 a A 491.87 a A 468.66 a A 479.78
0 40 95.92 b B 214.62 b A 288.90 b A 199.81
Mean 287.36 353.25 378.78 339.80 a
0 256.03 a B 331.07 a AB 357.82 a A 314.97
60 40 23.01 b A 34.17 b A 102.33 b A 53.17
Mean 139.52 182.62 230.07 184.07 b
Total	mean 213.44 B 267.93 A 304.43 A
HULSD<0.01:	54.415 SALSD<0.01:	44.430 SA	x	LILSD:	ns HU	x	SALSD:	ns HU	x	SA	x	LILSD<0.05:	80.359
Calcium	(Ca)
0 89.72 a A 88.63 a A 89.11 a A 89.15 a
0 40 33.54 b B 59.84 b A 54.99 b A 70.97 b
Mean 61.63 74.24 72.05 69.31 a
0 65.69 a A 73.56 a A 73.68 a A 49.46 a
60 40 10.36 b A 12.72 b A 19.75 b A 14.28 b
Mean 38.03 B 43.14 46.71 42.63 b
Total	mean 49.83 58.69 A 59.38 A
HULSD<0.01:	7.151 SALSD<0.01:	5.839 SA	x	LILSD<0.01:	8.258 HU	x	SALSD:	ns HU	x	SA	x	LILSD<0.05:	10.561
Magnesium	(Mg)
0 67.79 88.82 70.20 75.61
0 40 15.50 31.38 32.41 26.43
Mean 41.64 60.10 51.30 51.02 a
0 43.01 60.12 51.75 51.63
60 40 3.24 6.61 14.39 8.08
Mean 23.13 33.37 33.07 29.85 b
Total	mean 32.39 B 46.19 A 42.19 A
HULSD<0.01:	7.950 SALSD<0.01:	6.491 SA	x	LILSD:	ns HU	x	SALSD:	ns HU	x	SA	x	LILSD:	ns
Notes.	The	differences	between	values	by	different	letters	are	significant.	Capital	letters	for	each	row	and	small	letters	
for	each	column;	tdw	–	total	dry	weight,	ns	–	not	significant.	
20 Effects of humus on growth and nutrient uptake of maize under saline and calcareous soil conditions
Table 4.	Effects	of	humus	on	some	micronutrients	uptake	of	maize	(mg	tdw-1)	
Salt	(SA)	 Lime	(LI) Humus	(HU)	g	kg-1
mM % 0 1 2 Mean
Iron	(Fe)
0 1.70 1.55 1.42 1.56 a
0 40 0.25 0.67 0.48 0.47 b
Mean 0.98 a B 1.11 a A 0.95 a B 1.01 a
0 0.81 0.71 0.80 0.78 a
60 40 0.08 0.13 0.20 0.14 b
Mean 0.45 b A 0.42 b A 0.50 b A 0.46 b
Total	mean 0.71 0.77 0.73
HULSD:	ns																SALSD<0.01:	0.104 SA	x	LILSD<0.01:	0.147 		HU	x	SALSD<0.05:	0.133 		HU	x	SA	x	LILSD:	ns
							Copper	(Cu)
0 0.09 a B 0.21 a A 0.22 a A 0.17 a
0 40 0.03 b B 0.08 b A 0.08 b A 0.06 b
Mean 0.06 a B 0.15 a A 0.15 a A 0.12 a
0 0.08 a A 0.10 a A 0.08 a A 0.09 a
60 40 0.01 b A 0.01 b A 0.03 b A 0.02 b
Mean 0.05 a A 0.06 b A 0.06 b A 0.05 b
Total	mean 0.05 B 0.10 A 0.10 A
HULSD<0.01:	0.022 SALSD<0.01:	0.018 		SA	x	LILSD<0.01:	0.025 HU	x	SALSD<0.01:	0.031 	HU	x	SA	x	LILSD<0.05:	0.032
Zinc	(Zn)
0 0.18 a A 0.20 a A 0.20 a A 0.19 a
0 40 0.05 b B 0.09 b A 0.09 b A 0.08 b
Mean 0.11 a B 0.15 a A 0.15 a A 0.14 a
0 0.12 a A 0.14 a A 		0.09	a B 0.11 a
60 40 0.01 b B 0.03 b AB 0.05 b A 0.03 b
Mean 0.07 b B 0.08 b A 0.07 b AB 0.07 b
Total	mean 0.09 B 0.11 A 0.11 A
HULSD<0.01:	0.014 SALSD<0.01:	0.012 		SA	x	LILSD<0.01:	0.017 HU	x	SALSD<0.05:	0.015 		HU	x	SA	x	LILSD<0.01:	0.029
												Manganese	(Mn)
0 1.53 1.84 1.41 1.60
0 40 0.41 1.08 0.59 0.70
Mean 0.97 a B 1.47 a A 1.00 a B 1.15 a
0 1.10 1.27 1.18 1.18
60 40 0.09 0.16 0.40 0.22
Mean 0.59 b B 0.72 b AB 0.79 b A 0.70 b
Total	mean 0.78 B 1.09 A 0.90 B
HULSD<0.01:	0.140 SALSD<0.01:	0.114 SA	x	LILSD:	ns 				HU	x	SALSD<0.01:	0.198 HU	x	SA	x	LILSD:	ns
					Sodium	(Na)
0 3.57 3.31 3.05 3.31
0 40 0.80 1.45 2.33 1.53
Mean 2.19 2.38 2.69 2.42 b
0 9.34 9.37 7.77 8.83
60 40 2.82 6.45	 5.30 4.86
Mean 6.08 7.91 6.54 6.84 a
Total	mean 4.13 5.14 4.61
HULSD:	ns 								SALSD<0.01:	1.526 					SA	x	LILSD:	ns 					HU	x	SALSD:	ns 													HU	x	SA	x	LILSD:	ns
Notes.	The	differences	between	values	by	different	letters	are	significant.	Capital	letters	for	each	row	and	small	letters	
for	each	column;	tdw	–	total	dry	weight,	ns	–	not	significant.	
ISSN 1392-3196       ŽEMDIRBYSTĖ=AGRICULTURE	 		Vol.	97,	No.	4	(2010) 21
Conclusions FAO	Soils	Bulletin	21	//	Calcareous	soils:	report	of	the	
1.	Humus	has	beneficial	effects	on	nutrient	 FAO/undp	 regional	 seminar	 on	 reclamation	
uptake,	transport	and	availability	to	the	plant	and	it	 and	 management	 of	 calcareous	 soils.	 –	 1973.	<http://www.fao.org/docrep/x5868e/x5868e00.
enhances	stress	tolerance.	The	application	of	humus	 htm#Contents	>	[assessed	26	10	2010]	
might	ameliorate	 the	harmful	effects	of	saline	and	 Grattan	S.	R.,	Grieve	C.	M.	Salinity	mineral	nutrient	rela-
calcareous	 soil	 conditions	which	 can	 inhibit	 plant	 tions	in	horticultural	crops	//	Scientia	Horticultu-
growth	and	nutrient	uptake.	 rae.	–	1999,	vol.	78,	p.	127–157	
2.	The	 use	 of	 humus	 in	 combination	with	 Gülser	F.,	Sönmez	F.,	Boysan	S.	Effect	of	calcium	nitrate	
mineral	 fertilisers	 benefits	 agricultural	 yield	 and	 and	humic	acid	on	pepper	seedling	growth	under	
improves	plant	growth	as	well	as	the	uptake	of	nu- saline	condition	//	Journal	of	Environmental	Bio-
trients.	 Further	 studies	 are	 required	 to	 determine	 logy.	–	2010,	vol.	31,	iss.	5,	p.	873–876	
economically	feasible	application	levels	under	field	 Hanlon	E.	A.	Elemental	determination	by	atomic	absorp-
conditions.	 tion	 spectrophotometry:	 handbook	 of	 reference	
methods	for	plant	analysis.	–	Washington	D.C.,	
Acknowledgements USA,	1998,	p.	157–164	Horneck	D.	A.,	Hanson	D.	Determination	of	potassium	
This	work	was	 supported	by	 the	Research	 and	 sodium	 by	 flame	 emission	 spectropho-
Fund	 of	Uludağ	University	 (Project	No.	 2003/92)	 tometry:	 handbook	 of	 reference	 methods	 for	
and	the	Scientific	and	Technical	Research	Council	 plant	analysis.	–	Washington	D.C.,	USA,	1998,	
of	 Turkey	 (TOVAG	 105	 O	 345).	 The	 manuscript	 p.	157–164	
was	 edited	 for	 grammar,	 spelling,	 vocabulary	 and	 Kacar	B.,	Katkat	A.	V.	Plant	nutrition	//	Nobel	publication	
sentence	 structure	 by	 American	 Journal	 Experts	 No.	849	/	Science	and	Biology	Publication	Series	
(AJE). No.	29.	–	Ankara,	Turkey,	2009,	p.	424–533	
Received	23	06	2010 Leytem	A.	B.,	Mikkelsen	R.	L.	The	nature	of	phospho-
Accepted	27	10	2010 rus	 in	 calcareous	 soils	 //	Better	Crops.	 –	 2005,	vol.	89,	iss.	2,	p.	11–13	
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ISSN 1392-3196 
Žemdirbystė=Agriculture,	vol.	97,	No.	4	(2010),	p.	15–22
UDK		631.872:[631.442.2+631.445.52]:633.15
Humuso trąšų įtaka kukurūzų augimui ir maisto medžiagų 
įsisavinimui esant druskingam bei kalkingam dirvožemiui 
H.	Çelik,	A.	V.	Katkat,	B.	B.	Aşik,	M.	A.	Turan
Turkijos	Uludag	universitetas	
Santrauka
Tyrimai	atlikti	šiltnamyje,	siekiant	nustatyti	humuso	trąšų	įtaką	kukurūzų,	auginamų	pakalkintame	bei	
padruskintame	 dirvožemyje,	 sausųjų	medžiagų	 kiekiui	 ir	N,	 P,	K,	Ca,	Mg,	 Fe,	Cu,	 Zn,	Mn	 bei	Na	
įsisavinimui.	Augalų	streso	būklė	buvo	sukelta	į	dirvožemį	įterpus	40	%	CaCO3	ir	60	mM	NaCl.	Tyrimų	
pradžioje	į	dirvožemį	buvo	įterpta	0,	1	ir	2	g	kg-1	humuso.	Humusas	ir	CaCO3	buvo	sumaišyti	pagal	
įterpimo	normas,	o	dirvožemio	bendras	 svoris	buvo	padidintas	 iki	5	kg.	Mišinys	homogenizuotas	 ir	
įdėtas	į	polietilenu	uždengtus	vegetacinius	indus	(20	x	18	cm).	60	mM	NaCl	tirpalo	įpilta	į	numatytus	
druska	apdoroti	indus.	
CaCO3	ir	NaCl	turėjo	neigiamą	įtaką	augalų	augimui,	nes	dėl	streso	sumažėjo	augalų	sausųjų	medžiagų	
svoris	ir	mineralinių	maisto	medžiagų	kiekis,	išskyrus	natrio	kiekį.	Humuso	įterpimas	neturėjo	ryškesnės	
įtakos	 kontroliniuose	 induose,	 į	 kuriuos	 kalkių	 ir	 druskos	 nebuvo	 įterpta,	 tačiau,	 esant	 pakalkintam	
ir	 padruskintam	dirvožemiui,	 humuso	 įterpimas	 turėjo	 ryškų	poveikį.	Mažesnė	humuso	norma	didi-
no	sausųjų	medžiagų	derlių	 ir	kai	kurių	maisto	medžiagų	 įsisavinimą	esant	 streso	sąlygoms.	 Įterpus	
didesnę	humuso	normą	nustatytas	mažesnis	padidėjimas,	palyginti	su	mažesne	humuso	norma,	išskyrus	
kalio	ir	kalcio	įsisavinimą.
Humuso	įterpimas	galėtų	sumažinti	druskingo	ir	kalkingo	dirvožemio	neigiamą	poveikį	augalų	augimui	
ir	maisto	medžiagų	įsisavinimui,	tačiau	tyrimus	reikia	tęsti,	siekiant	nustatyti	ekonomiškai	naudingus	
lygius.	
Reikšminiai	žodžiai:	humusas,	sąveika,	kalkės,	druska,	kukurūzai.