Hydro-geophysical properties of some soils of western limestone plateau at Assiut governorate, Egypt [electronic resource]

Includes bibliographic reference

Field investigations were conducted at the western limestone plateau of Assiut Governorate which
is located 300 km south of Cairo between 26° 20- oo= to 27° 40- oo= N latitude and 30° 30- oo= to 31 °
40- oo= E longitude. The current work was initiated to recognize the agricultural potentiality of this
area. The study aimed to assessing the prevailing hydro-physical soil properties and the suitable
management practices for agricultural utilization. The study revealed that Soil texture is mostly
coarse (sand, loamy sand and sandy loam). Calcium carbonate content ranges between 13.10 and
85.90% and soil bulk density varies from 1.36 to 1.88 Mg/m3. The soil salinity (ECe) differs from
non-saline (ECe = 2.7 dS/m) to extremely saline (ECe = 86.1 dS/m). The soil reaction could be
considered alkaline since the pH values range between7.9 to 8.9. The saturated soil hydraulic
conductivity indieated that soils can be categorized between low to excessive permeability. The soil
moisture characteristics show a marked decrease in soil moisture content (50%) when the soils were
subjected to pressure above one atmosphere. Groundwater salinity ranges between EC .0779 and
1.027 dS/m. Special care would be implemented with respect to agricultural practices. The drainable
pores (QDP+SDP) value was about 24.4% representing about 65.59% of the total porosity. The value
of capillary pores (WHP+FCP) was about 12.7 % representing about 34.14 % of the total porosity.

Summary in Arabic