Germination, Seedling Vigorosity of Sunflower Plants and Physical Properties of Soil as affected by Agrosil and Irrigation Intervals

Abstract

The effect of irrigation intervals and Agrosil (a soil conditioning material) on germination. seedling vigorosity of sunflower plants and soil properties was studied. The results can be summarized as follows:
1. Germination percentage and germination rate of sunflower seeds increased by adding Agrosil up to 120 g/m2, then declined. On the other hand, germination capacity was not affected by Agrosil treatment.
Seedling vigorosity. i.e. dry weight and height, followed the same trend of change as that of germination percentage. They increased when applying up to 120 gm Agrosil/m2 then decreased.
2.Soil moisture percentage and organic matter percentage increased remarkably by adding Agrosil. On the other hand. pH value and permeability decreased.
Agrosil tended to increase the percentage of big aggregates in the soil but it had no effect on the mechanical analysis of the soil.
3.Germination was not statistically affected by irrigation intervals, while seedling vigorosity increased by shortening irrigation intervals, i.e. irrigation every three days.
4.Irrigation intervals had no considerable effect on soil properties, i.e. soil mechanical analysis, aggregation permeability and organic matter content. On the other hand, soil moisture percentage decreased and organic matter increased with increasing intervals between irrigation.