Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol,Iran
2
Department of Agronomy,Faculty of Agriculture,University of Zabol,Zabol,Iran
3
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol,Zabol,Iran
4
Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Water and Soil, University of Zabol,Zabol,Iran
5
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol.Iran
10.22034/saps.2026.70186.3431
Abstract
Background & Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the integrated application of sulfur, farmyard manure, and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (Thiobacillus spp.) on forage yield and quality of quinoa grown in alkaline soil under the arid conditions of Zabol, Iran.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was arranged as a fctorial split plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2022. Treatments consisted of four sulfur rates (0, 300, 600, and 900 kg ha⁻¹), two levels of farmyard manure (0 and 20 t ha⁻¹), and three Thiobacillus inoculation treatments (no inoculation, single strain, and combined strains T40+T95). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the 5% probability level.
Results: The three-way interaction among sulfur, manure, and bacterial inoculation significantly affected all growth and forage quality traits (P ≤ 0.05). The combined application of 900 kg ha⁻¹ sulfur + 20 t ha⁻¹ farmyard manure + T40 and T95 produced the highest plant height (94.3 cm), number of lateral branches (12.67), dry matter digestibility (66.23%), crude protein (12.47%), metabolizable energy (1.80%), and total ash (15.94%). In contrast, the control treatment showed the highest concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (49.35%), acid detergent fiber (30.08%), and saponin (5.90%).
Conclusion: The integrated application of sulfur, organic manure, and Thiobacillus exerted a synergistic effect, enhancing both productivity and nutritive value of quinoa forage in alkaline soils. This integrated strategy can be recommended as an effective approach for sustainable soil management in arid regions.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)