Using natural zeolite for the improvement of soil salinity and crop yield

The effects of natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) on salinity and the presence of harmful salts in the soil on Raphanus sativus L. were studied. Six soil treatments were studied: (1) control, (2) NaCl, (3) Na2SO 4, (4) natural zeolite, (5) natural zeolite + NaCl and (6) natural zeolite + Na2SO4. Five seeds of radish were planted in each pot. Each treatment had 10 repetitions. After 50 days under equal condition some parameters consisting of number of leaf (NL), total leaf area (TLA), total fresh weight (TFW), total dry weight (TDW), root fresh weight (RFW), air fresh weight (AFW), root dry weight (RDW) and air dry weight (ADW) were determined. Results showed that using clinoptilolite may improve soil quality and increase crop yield. Application of natural zeolite in radish cultivation seems to increase the final product and also retain the harmful salt, such that salts do not pass through the roots to the plants. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.