Effects of Sand Mulching on Forage Production in Newly Reclaimed Tidal Lands I. Desalination of the soils and crop perfomanc

간척지 사료작물 재배에 있어서 모래를 이용한 토양 mulching의 효과 I. 제염효과와 작물생육

A two year's field experiment was conducted on newly reclaimed saline tidal lands to measure the effects of sand mulching on salinity of the soils and their relationship to crop performance. Hybrid sorghum cv. Pioneer 931 was grown under different mulching treatments using of medium sand and red earth (Fine loamy, Typic Hapludults). Salinity in the root zone was decreased markedly under soil mulching using of medium sand, especially during the dry season, and it caused a great increase in the root growth and R/T ratio. Seasonal values of electrical conductivity at sand mulching were 6.6 in April and 1.6 mmhos in August, but it was still high with a concentration of 12.7 (April) and 3.8 mmhos (August) in untreated check plot. Sand mulching increased plant growth and the rate of dry matter accumulation. However, treatment of red earth additionally over sand mulching produced lower dry matter yield than those of soil mulching using of medium sand only. Under salt stress sorghum plant showed a decrease in the leaf weight ratio (LWR) and it resulted in a low concentration of crude protein of the plant. Sand mulching enhanced leaf weight ratio and rate of protein synthesis.