Pearl millet cultivation with brackish water and organic fertilizer alters soil properties

Abstract Semi-arid regions are characterized by high evapotranspiration and low rainfall, favoring the accumulation of salts when irrigated with brackish water. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pearl millet cultivation with brackish water levels and fertilized with organic fertilizer on the chemical and physical properties of the soil. A split plot randomized block design was adopted, in a factorial arrangement, with three repetitions. Plots consisted of four irrigation levels (25, 50, 75 and 100% crop evapotranspiration) and subplots consisted of four levels of organic fertilizer (0; 15; 30 and 45 Mg ha-1). At the end of the pearl millet production cycle, soil was collected from layers 0-0.20 m and 0.20-0.40 m, for physical (soil bulk density, particle density and porosity) and chemical (EC, pH, K, Na, Ca, Mg, H + Al, SB, CEC, V) properties. There was no effect of interaction of brackish water levels and organic fertilizer levels on soil chemical properties. Brackish water reduced potassium on layer 0.20-0.40 m. A negative linear effect was found for density in the 0.20-0.40 m layer under different levels of organic fertilizer. Brackish water levels and organic fertilizer levels in the cultivation of pearl millet does not alter soil chemical and physical properties at the 0-0.20 m layer. However, the use of brackish water reduces the concentration of potassium in the soil and the application of organic fertilizer reduces soil density at the 0.20-0.40 m layer. Resumo Regiões semiáridas são caracterizadas pela elevada evapotranspiração e baixa precipitação pluvial, favorecendo o acúmulo de sais quando irrigado com água salobra. Objetivouse avaliar o efeito do cultivo de milheto com níveis de água salobra e fertilização orgânica nas propriedades químicas e físicas do solo. Adotou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com arranjo fatorial, em parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas por quatro lâminas de irrigação (25, 50, 75 e 100% da evapotranspiração da cultura) e as subparcelas foram compostas por quatro níveis de fertilização orgânica (0; 15; 30 e 45 Mg ha-1). No final do ciclo de produção do milheto, o solo foi coletado nas camadas de 0-0.20 e 0.20-0.40 m, para aspectos físicos (densidade do solo, densidade de partículas e porosidade) e químicos (CE, pH, K, Na, Ca, Mg, H + Al, SB, CTC, V). Não houve interação entre a água salobra e a fertilização orgânica nas propriedades químicas do solo. A água salo