Effects of Vermicompost and Rice Husk Ash on the Change of Soil Chemical Properties and the Growth of Rice in Salt Affected Area

Abstract

Soil rehabilitation is needed for salt affected area which is the problem of soil in wide world. Salt affected areas damage agriculture production and soil fertility. The objective of this research was to study the effects of vermicompost and rice husk ash on the change of soil electrical conductivity (EC) and the growth of rice in salt affected area in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The experiment plan was randomize complete block design 4 treatments with 3 replications 1) saline soil 2) saline soil + rice husk ash (rate 1000 kg per Rai) 3) saline soil + vermicompost (rate 1000 kg per Rai) 4) saline soil + vermicompost and rice husk ash (rate 1000 kg per Rai for both), and used two rice varieties (KMDL 105 and Rice berry). The results found that EC was lowest in the treatment mixed with vermicompost and rice husk ash followed by mixed with rice husk ash and mixed with vermicompost, respectively. The rice tillers number and height were found higher in the treatment mixed with vermicompost and rice husk ash followed by mixed with rice husk ash and mixed with vermicompost, respectively. The results of this study concluded that using vermicompost and rice husk ash helped reducing EC and increasing the rice’s growth in salt affected area.