Change of Some Soil Physical Properties in Newly Reclaimed Soils Following Poor Soil Management: A Case Study in Al-Qasasin, Egypt

Abstract

Background: In newly reclaimed areas, some improper farming practices like using heavy machines in tillage, adding excessive quantity of fertilizers, irrigation by flooding method and intensity cultivation could affect the soil physical properties.
 Objective‎: Therefore, eighty soil samples were collected from the twenty-seven profiles to evaluate the change of soils' physical properties at four locations (A, B, C and D) after different improper soil managements.
 Methods‎: The study area is located in Al-Qasasin, Ismailia Governorate, Egypt northern tip of it extended between latitudes 30° 33' 1.147" N and 30° 28' 16.096" N, and longitudes 32° 4' 12.984" E and 32° 4' 15.696" E, with total area of 144.25 km2 (34345.1 Feddan) which falls in the semi-arid zone. Profile depth, soil texture, total porosity (TP), bulk density (BD), hydraulic conductivity (HC) and infiltration rate (IR) were determined according to the standard procedures.
 Results: According to the values of general mean of the studied properties in the four locations, BD takes the order: C>B>A>D. While the TP take the opposite trend of BD (D>A>B>C), on the other hand, both HC and IR follow the same order: C>A>B>D. These results attributed to that the locations B and D using surface flooding irrigation system, while A and C locations using sprinkler and drip irrigation systems, respectively. In addition to the intensive cultivation and the conventional tillage planting system are used in the B and D locations. Where the tillage tools like heavy plows, disks or chisels are used seasonally. While in A and C sites light tillage and orchards planting only are used commonly.
 Conclusion: These findings should be considered in future research to improve the soil management programs in these examined areas particularly the fourth location that should stop flooding technique and terns to the drip or sprinkler method.