The effect of soil management method on some characteristics of limestone soils in the Muthanna desert

Abstract

Four areas were selected in the Al-Rehab region, the desert of Muthanna Governorate, which differs in the management style, the duration of agricultural exploitation, and the quality of irrigation water. It was taken in each Pedon region, and the morphological and chemical measurements were revealed and conducted. It was found that the thickness of the A horizon ranged between 10-15 centimeters and the thickness of the B horizon between 25-45 centimeters in all study pedons. The administration style did not affect Hue, as all horizons were within the color (10YR) and chroma, as the colors ranged from light white to very bale brown (10 YR7/4) and white (10YR8/1), the soil texture was between Sandy loam, Sandy clay loam, Loamy Sand. As for the chemical properties, the percentage of lime CaCO3 ranged between (250-400) gm/km-1 and the percentage of gypsum ranged between (1.2-1.8) g. km-1 The electrical conductivity EC ranged between (3.9-18)ds.m-1 , while the organic matter was between (2.1- 13.5) and the CEC values ranged between (12-18Coml.kg). Keywords: soil management, calcareous soils