Chemical melioration of saline soils and its residual effect on the quality and quantity of nutrients in corn grain

چکیده

Background: Soil salinization reduces the availability of micronutrients, which are essential for producing functional foods such as corn. This makes it increasingly difficult to grow food in saline soils that meet the required nutritional standards for human health. Therefore, improving soil quality through the adoption of proper farming practices is vital to ensure the continued production of functional foods and their associated health benefits.

Objective: The research was conducted from 2021 to 2024 in the Mrgashat community of the Metsamor region, Armavir marz, RA, under field conditions. The desalination and dealkalization processes and their impact on germination, growth, yield, qualitative characteristics, chemical composition, and functionality of the "Turbo" corn subtype were studied under varying flushing water standards.

Methods: The study focused on improving saline-alkaline soils through chemical melioration with sulfuric acid, using different amounts of flushing water (25%, 50%, and 100% of the calculated norm). The effects of these treatments on the soil and the qualitative properties and chemical composition of corn were assessed.

Results:

1. With the full sulfuric acid dose (7.1 kg) and 25% flushing water (9.6 m³), a decrease in soil chemical indicators was observed. Still, the corn seeds did not germinate, suggesting an insufficient combination of ameliorant and water for effective desalination. These data can serve as a basis for assessing the extent of flushing water's effect on desalination efficiency.
2. When 50% flushing water (19.2 m³) was used, topsoil amelioration occurred, but

significant salt accumulation remained in the deeper soil layers. Partial seed germination indicated that this amount of flushing water was not enough for complete salt removal.

1. Using 100% flushing water (38.3 m³) with the full sulfuric acid dose (7.1 kg) resulted in complete desalination and alkalinization. A marked increase in calcium (Ca) in the adsorption complex was observed, enhancing plant growth and yield. In the first year of sowing, the yield reached 29.0 qt/ha, indicating that a higher flushing water dose significantly improved soil conditions and increased yield.

Novelty: This research is the first in the RA to examine the effects of different flushing water amounts on the efficiency of saline-alkaline soil amelioration and on corn growth, germination, yield, and functionality. The study emphasizes that proper selection of flushing water volume is crucial for effective salt removal, and that the combination of the ameliorant and water should be optimized to maximize desalination efficiency and high-functioning food production.

Conclusion: The research demonstrates that varying amounts of flushing water significantly influence the efficiency of soil desalination and alkalinization. The use of 100% flushing water ensures complete desalination, improves soil chemical composition, and increases both corn yield and quality. These findings provide a basis for selecting optimal melioration practices to improve saline-alkaline soils and enhance functional food production.

Keywords: Soil salinization, desalination, dealkalization, flushing water, melioration, sulfuric acid, corn, functional food.