Abstract
A novel organo-mineral fertilizer [ a 5: 2: 1 (w/w/w) mixture of green waste compost, elemental sulphur (S) and humic acid (HA), respectively] was used as a soil amendment to study its effect on the growth, chlorophyll contents, chlorophyll fluorescence, and leaf nutrient status of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) grown in reclaimed saline calcareous soil (ECe= 6.47 dS m(-1) and CaCO3 = 15.63%). The organomineral fertilizer-treated plants showed increased growth, proline, chlorophyll and nutrient contents. A significant decrease in photosynthetic efficiency was observed on non-treated plants. The use of organo-mineral fertilizer led to an apparent decrease in soil salinity and soil bulk density. Total porosity, field capacity, and useful pores were greatly increased by organo-mineral fertilizer application. Therefore, we recommend using the tested organo-mineral fertilizer as a soil amendment for vegetables such as eggplant to overcome the adverse effects of salinity stress in newly reclaimed soils.