Open AccessLeaching Potential of Some Omani Soils: Soil Column and Drip Irrigation Studies
Author(s) -
Mushtaque Ahmed,
Salim Ali AI-Rawahy,
M.S. AI-Kalbani,
J.K. AI-Handaly
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of agricultural and marine sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2410-1079
pISSN - 2410-1060
DOI - 10.24200/jams.vol4iss2pp65-70
Subject(s) - ponding , leaching (pedology) , leaching model , environmental science , drip irrigation , soil water , irrigation , salinity , soil science , hydrology (agriculture) , soil horizon , infiltration (hvac) , soil salinity , agronomy , geology , geotechnical engineering , materials science , drainage , ecology , oceanography , composite material , biology
This paper reports the findings from leaching experiments conducted on some Omani soils. Seven samples from two locations in the Batinah coastal area of Oman were analyzed. Repacked soil columns of up to 30 cm in length were used in laboratory experiments to estimate the amount of water required for adequate leaching of salts from the soil profile. Two methods of leaching: continuous ponding and intermittent ponding were investigated. Results show that most of the salt (50-90%) is removed from the soil profile by the application of water equal in amount to the depth of soil to be leached. The results also show that intermittent ponding method of leaching is more efficient than the continuous ponding method of leaching if initial salinity level is high. Soil samples were also collected to find out the salinity status under drip irrigation. It clearly demonstrates that drip irrigation is very effective in removing salts from soil near the emitters although there is a marked accumulation of salts on the soil surface between emitters.