THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SOIL TYPES AND RICE HUSK ASH MIXING RATIOS ON THE GROWTH OF ICE PLANT (Mesembryanthemum crystallium L.)

Abstract

Saline intrusion deep into the mainland appears earlier during the dry season, more severe and increases in recent years, leading to soil salinity. Ice plant can help improve soil through its ability to absorb salt. The study aims to evaluate the effects of different soil types and rice husk ash mixing ratios on the growth of ice plant. The study was conducted in a completely randomized block design, four types of soil collected from Tinh Bien district, An Phu district, Thoai Son district, An Giang province and saline soil in An Bien district, Kien Giang province with 3 levels of soil and rice husk ash mixing (100% soil; 80% soil, 20% ash and 60% soil, 40% ash), 3 replications. The results showed that ice plant grew well on soil in Tinh Bien district, An Giang province and An Bien district, Kien Giang province in the growth process, but the yield in Kien Giang province soil was higher than that in Tinh Bien district soil in all ash-mixing treatments. On Thoai Son district and An Phu district soil, the plants grew to 50 days after sowing, then died on ash-mixed soil and 100% soil. Ice plant had a ability to absorb NaCl in saline soil in Kien Giang province (326 mg/m²), and in Tinh Bien district soil (249 mg/m²). With the above results, ice plant has the potential to biologically treat saline soil.