Effects of Compost and/or Sand Addition on Improving Properties of a Heavy Textured Soil Under Production of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Wheat is considered one of the most important strategic crops in Egypt, as it represents a primary source of food. Due to the high consumption rate compared to local production, Egypt has become one of the major wheat-importing countries to cover the food gap. Therefore, it is essential to focus on increasing wheat productivity to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on imports. This study aims to improve the physical and chemical properties of heavy clay soils through the application of certain tillage practices and soil amendments. Surface and deep tillage were applied along with the applications of sand and compost. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD), including four rates of sand (0Mgha-1, 133.3Mgha-1, 266.6 Mgha-1 and 400Mgha-1) and four rates of compost (0Mgha-1, 13.3Mgha-1, 26.7Mgha-1 and 53.3Mgha-1). Wheat was cultivated in the experimental plots to study the effect of these treatments on soil properties and consequently wheat crop productivity. The experiment was carried out in winter of 2023, and the recommended fertilization rates were applied. The results showed a significant increase in wheat yield with increasing rates of application of both sand and compost under both tillage levels compared to the control. This improvement can be attributed to the change in soil texture, which enhanced root penetration resistance and increased water hydraulic conductivity, while reducing calcium carbonate percentage. Moreover, application of the compost could increase the soil organic matter content and accordingly the cation exchange capacity (CEC) was increased, leading to better nutrient uptake, improved wheat growth, and higher productivity. Surface tillage resulted in higher yields compared to deep tillage, as wheat is a crop with a shallow root system.