Improving Selected Chemical Properties of a Paddy Soil in Sabah Amended with Calcium Silicate: A Laboratory Incubation Study

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

I commend the authors: Ivy Quirinus Chong , Elisa Azura Azman, Ji Feng Ng , Roslan Ismail , Azwan Awang , Nur Aainaa Hasbullah , Rosmah Murdad  , Osumanu Haruna Ahmed , Adiza Alhassan Musah , Md. Amirul Alam, Normah Awang Besar , Nor Elliza Tajidin  and Mohamadu Boyie Jalloh of the manuscript titled “Improving selected chemical properties of a paddy soil in Sabah amended with calcium silicate: A laboratory incubation study” for their work  on the use of calcium silicate to improve  soil pH, EC, available P, and CEC in relation to suppression of exchangeable Al of a paddy soil named Kelawat series from Malaysia

Before this paper is published, there are several things need to be addressed or corrected:

1-      The abstract need to be concise and short.

2-      In the introduction,

-          Should be rewritten or shortened into 4 paragraphs and focus on the novelty of the work compared to previous studies.

3-      In the results and discussion part, additional references need to be added to discuss the novelty of the obtained results.

4-      The conclusion need to be concise and focus on the work.

 

I give you major revision.

 

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors,

the manuscript entitled "Improving selected chemical properties of a paddy soil in Sabah amended with calcium silicate: A laboratory incubation study" by Ivy Quirinus Chong, Elisa Azura Azman, Ji Feng Ng, Roslan Ismail, Azwan Awang, Nur Aainaa Hasbullah, Rosmah Murdad, Osumanu Haruna Ahmed, Adiza Alhassan Musah, Md. Amirul Alam, Normah Awang Besar, Nor Elliza Tajidin and Mohamadu Boyie Jalloh, deals with a very interesting topic.

The aim of the research presented in this manuscript was to determine the optimum amount of calcium silicate to improve soil pH, electrical conductivity, exchangeable Al, available P, and cation exchange capacity of a paddy soil in Sabah, Malaysia. The research was carried out in laboratory conditions and undoubtedly, as the Authors pointed out, they need to be continued in the field, in which it will be possible to assess the response of plants to the applied cultivation factors. Based on their research, the Authors concluded that using the studied calcium silicate product as an amendment can improve soil productivity and agronomic efficiency in rice farming.

I believe that in terms of methodology, the research is conducted correctly and the results are clearly presented in the form of graphs and briefly discussed. The literature review was carried out diligently.

However, I have just a few comments that I recommend taking into account when preparing the manuscript for printing:

1) Abstract - it's definitely too long. It should be shortened. I propose to reduce some of the content from L30 to L38 (especially the ones that are repeated) and discuss the results more concisely.

2) Keywords - please put in alphabetical order.

3) Figures 1-5 - please explain T1, T2, T3 and T4. Please remember that Figures and Tables should be understandable without having to look for an explanation of the abbreviations in the text of the manuscript.

4) Figure 2 - the description of the Y axis is longer than the axis, which looks unsightly. Please consider increasing the height of all graphs, then the signature of the Y axis will look better and the differences between the bars will be better visible.

5) Conclusions - please re-edit this chapter. It is too long. It unnecessarily covers the results in so much detail.

6) The manuscript is not exactly aligned with the template used in the Sustainability journal.

Overall, I believe that the manuscript presents valuable findings and the Editors of Sustainability should consider publishing this manuscript.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

In the present paper the Authors to determine : Improving selected chemical properties of a paddy soil in Sabah amended with calcium silicate: A laboratory incubation study. Silica stimulates and prevents the toxic effects of elements in plants such as manganese, iron, aluminum, zinc and others found in higher concentrations in soils. Silica plays a huge role in the physiology of plants and animals. However, not all aspects of the physiological role of silica in plant and animal organisms have been elucidated. This raises the question of whether to fertilize cereal and vegetable crops with silica. The authors of this work made an attempt to answer, in my opinion, successfully.

The subject of the paper fits the aims of the Journal and results could be of interest for the scientific community. The paper is well written.

Insights:

the abstract is incorrect line 30-37. too long introduction - please shorten it to one sentence

line 46: Si increases uptake by plants, but does it increase resorption from soil minerals? -should be much more clear

line 62: what does RM44 / household mean; RM73 / month and so on - please expand the abbreviation

line 139-140: please provide source material for USDA classification

line 151 please describe the sampling process in detail

line 153-154 please describe the procedure for drying, screening, grinding, and how the soil samples were stored

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Accepted for me