ABSTRACT The objectives of this work were to use Sesuvium verrucosum to produce stable and mature compost and vermicompost and to evaluate their influence on the growth and production parameters of the Solanum lycopersicum L. crop. For the preparation of vermicompost, the earthworm Eisenia fetida (Savigny) was used. The proposed treatments were: T1 (negative control) [no organic fertilizer + urea], T2 (positive control) [bovine manure (100%) + urea], T3 (compost) [bovine manure (100%) + urea], T4 (compost) [S. verrucosum (25%) + bovine manure (75%) + urea], T5 (compost) [S. verrucosum (50%) + bovine manure (50%) + urea], T6 (compost) [S. verrucosum (75%) + bovine manure (25%) + urea], T7 (vermicompost) [bovine manure (100%) + urea], and T8 (vermicompost) [S. verrucosum (25%) + bovine manure (75%) + urea]. The results showed that all the treatments were stable, mature and rich in nutrients after 140 days. In general, treatments made from S. verrucosum showed a high pH (7.97–8.45) and electrical conductivity (3.83–8.85 dS m-1). Nonetheless, excluding T7, the treatments made from a proportion of 25% halophyte and 75% bovine manure (T8 and T4) achieved the highest morphological parameters in the different variables that were evaluated, as well as the highest yields compared to controls T1 and T2, followed by T3, T5 and T6, respectively. Therefore, it was concluded that S. verrucosum can serve as a stable and mature organic amendment, rich in nutrients, and that can be used to improve the growth and development of the S. lycopersicum crop.

ABSTRACT The shortage of water and the increasing salinity are the main limiting environmental factors that directly affect the establishment and the development of crops. In this research, phytodesalination capacity of Sesuvium verrucosum was evaluated alone and in combination with agricultural gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) and Polisul-C, in order to remedy a moderately saline soil at greenhouse level and under nonleaching conditions. The treatments studied were the following: T1 (soil), T2 (soil + S. verrucosum), T3 (soil +S. verrucosum + Polisul-C), T4 (soil + S. verrucosum + CaSO4·2H2O). Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes filled with 8 kg of clay soil with an electrical conductivity of the saturation paste extract (ECe) of6.21 dS.m-1 were used. Soil samples were analyzed to determine the ECe, and the soluble and interchangeable cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) content. Then, the halophytic plants were divided into root and aerial parts and the content of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ was determined. In summary, S. verrucosum showed potential to desalinate its rhizosphere. Moreover, S. verrucosum desalination capacity significantly increases when used in combination with either of the tested amendments. This increase occurred mainly in the upper layers of the clay soil (0-30 cm). CaSO4·2H2O was shown to be the most effective amendment, since a greater gain in biomass and a large accumulation of sodium (Na+) in the aerial part of S. verrucosum was observed as a consequence of the soil improved physico-chemical properties caused by this chemical.

ABSTRACT In the Cienega de Chapala region of the state of Michoacan, Mexico, forage crops form a major pillar for traditional livestock systems. In this region, high soil salinity due to poor groundwater quality is a common problem. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of the forage species Vicia sativa L. for improved saline soil in a greenhouse and non-leaching conditions over the course of 90 days. In this experiment, three levels of NaCl salinity were tested: 5.3, 7.12 and 10.8 dS∙m–1. Samples of soil were analyzed for electrical conductivity of the saturation paste extract (ECe), soluble and interchangeable cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) content. Then, the forage species Vicia sativa L were divided into three categories (leaf, stem, and root) and their shoot biomass production and Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ content was determined. Analysis of variance was performed to examine the effects of salinity on each of the evaluated variables; Tukey’s test was used to detect differences between the mean values of the variables per treatment. In a greenhouse experiment, the species V. sativa is confirmed to be tolerant to a moderately saline level. The high concentrations of Na+ found in both the stems and leaves of this plant confirm that it may be used for the improvement of moderately saline soils. The decrease in pH, ECe, SAR and ESP in the pots via non-leaching conditions confirmed their role in the improvement of the chemical characteristics of the soil.