The Influence of Biological and Organic Fertilization and Boron Spraying in Some Soil Characteristics

Abstract

Abstract The experiment was conducted in the Al-Azawiya area, which is part of the Al-Musayib project in Babil Governorate, for the winter agricultural season of 2023 to study the impact of biofertilization, organic fertilization, and foliar boron spray on certain soil properties using a factorial experiment design according to Randomized Complete Block Design (R.C.B.D) and with three replications randomly distributed within three sectors, totaling 18 treatments to make the number of experimental units 54, The experiment included three factors. The first factor was biofertilization (seed inoculation) with a mixture of Azotobacter and Azospirillum bacteria at two levels (without inoculation, inoculation). The second factor was organic fertilization (sheep manure) applied to the soil at three levels (0, 10, 20) Mg ha−1. The third factor was boron foliar spray using boric acid at three levels (0, 5, 10) mg L−1. The means of treatments were compared using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at a probability level of (0.05). The results of the experiment indicated that the addition of biofertilizer and organic fertilizer resulted in significant differences in soil properties after cultivation (electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, bulk density, organic matter). However, foliar boron spray did not result in significant differences in soil properties after cultivation. The interaction between biofertilizer (seed inoculation) and organic fertilizer (20 Mg ha−1) also resulted in significant differences in soil properties after cultivation (electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, bulk density, organic matter). However, the interactions between biofertilizer (seed inoculation) and foliar boron spray, organic fertilizer, and foliar boron spray did not result in significant differences in soil properties after cultivation. Similarly, the triple interactions between biofertilizer (seed inoculation), organic fertilizer, and foliar boron spray did not result in significant differences in soil properties after cultivation.