The Impact of Adding Bentonite and Organic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Sorghum in Desert Soil Under the Conditions of the Badia Al-Samawa

Abstract This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the impact of adding soil amendments, namely bentonite mineral and organic fertilizer, on the growth and yield of sorghum in desert soil under the conditions of Badia Al-Samawa in Muthanna Governorate. The experiment included three levels of bentonite (0, 10, and 20 Mg ha −1 ) and four levels of organic fertilizer (0, 20, 30, and 40 Mg ha −1 ). The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors and three replications. Sourcing of the Buhooth70 sorghum crop took place. Increasing the amount of organic fertiliser and bentonite added significantly affected the growth indicators and yield, according to the data. The level of 20 Mg ha −1 of bentonite addition achieved the highest percentage increase in plant height, leaf area, and chlorophyll content by 23.45%, 30.70%, and 28.65%, respectively. It also showed the highest percentage increase in biological yield, grain yield, and 1000-grain weight, by 57.42%, 23.23%, and 18.19%, respectively, compared to the control treatment. Furthermore, the results indicated that the level of 40 Mg ha −1 of organic fertilizer addition achieved the highest percentage increase in plant height, leaf area, and chlorophyll content in the leaves by 6.44%, 19.53%, and 29.15%, respectively. It also showed the highest percentage increase in biological yield, grain yield, and 1000-grain weight by 28.04%, 20.01%, and 26.10%, respectively, compared to the control treatment. The results show a significant interaction between the study factors, the combined treatment of 20 Mg ha −1 bentonite and 40 Mg ha −1 organic fertilizer outperformed in achieving the highest values in growth and yield indicators for the plants.