Performance of Gyttja Applications to Ameliorate Saline and Non-saline Soils and Enhance Cotton Plant Growth

This study examines gyttja’s impact on cotton growth, oxidative stress, and soil microbial activity under saline and non-saline conditions. The experiments were conducted under saline (SS) and non-saline (NS) soil conditions. Fiona cotton variety was used as the plant material. The treatments included control (non-application), gd8 (8 g), gd16 (16 g), gd24 (24 g), SS, SS + gd8, SS + gd16, and SS + gd24. Gyttja applications significantly improved plant growth and stress tolerance. In non-saline soil, gyttja enhanced root and shoot development, with the highest dose (gd24) increasing root length by 26.5% and shoot weight by 54.7%. In saline soil, it effectively mitigated salt stress, leading to a 62.1% increase in root length and a 142.3% increase in root weight. Additionally, the application reduced oxidative stress by lowering hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels while increasing proline accumulation. The gd24 treatment reduced H2O2 by 35% and MDA by 29% under saline conditions. Soil microbial activity was also significantly enhanced, with catalase increasing by 346% and urease by 38.2%, contributing to improved soil health and nutrient cycling. These findings suggest that gyttja is a promising organic amendment for improving plant resilience and productivity, particularly under saline conditions. These results suggest that gyttja can be an effective soil amendment that supports plant health and improves soil quality.