Sodic soil amendments and reclamation to restore soil fertility and optimize grain yield and quality of sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) in Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract Field experiment was conducted at Gumsalasa Earth Dam Irrigated Land in Tigray, Ethiopia to evaluate sodic soil amendments and reclamation by integrated application of farmyard manure and gypsum to restore soil fertility and optimize sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.) grain yield and seed quality. It is located between 13 ° 13ʹ30ʹ to 13 ° 15ʹ0ʹ N latitude and 39 ° 31ʹ30 ʺ E to 39 ° 33 ʺ 0 ʺ E longitude with average elevation variation values between 2079 and 2108 meters above sea level. Three rates of gypsum (0, 4, and 8 t ha −1 ), three rates of farmyard manure (0, 10, and 20 t ha −1 ), and three sesame varieties were evaluated in completely randomized design with three replications. Gypsum and farmyard manure significantly ( p < 0.001) improved soil fertility and decreased sodicity problem, and optimized grain yield and seed quality. The percentile change increment grain yield was 177.66%, 191.87%, and 205% for Setit‐2, Hirhir, and Humera‐1, respectively. Grain yield revealed significantly ( p < 0.001) positive correlation with all agronomic traits. However, grain yield of 89%, 95%, 97%, and 87% have negative correlations with soil exchangeable sodium percentage, sodium adsorption ratio, electrical conductivity, and soil pH, respectively. The results of the findings indicated that combined application of farmyard manure and gypsum was highly effective in mitigating soil sodicity problems and restoring soil fertility. These factors significantly improved soil physical, chemical, and biological characteristics such as organic matter, nutrient availability, permeability, and microbial activity. While their implication increased plant growth and optimizing sesame grain yield productivity and seed quality under sodic soil conditions, and boosting farmers’ food security.