Study of Some Soil Physical Properties at a Farming Area West Omdurman –Khartoum state

Abstract

This Farm is located west of Omdurman close to the highway Dongola Omdurman at bench mark - 43 km the farm was developed to use modern farming techniques to grow vegetables and fruits. It occupies an area of 140 feddans (58.8 ha).The study area is almost a flat plain, 0—1% slope, the surface is covered by common gravel and sand sheet on the surface(20--35%), and very few short annual grass. The soils of the scheme area were grouped according to their geomorphic units, parent material, and mode of formation, surface features, vegetation and topography. The Objective of the research was to study some physical soil properties that affect soil moisture conditions and plant, and indicate which is the best irrigation system for the study area soils based on the soil physical properties. The Research problem there is a large amount of gravel and coarse sand in the soil surface and deep in the soil that affect the soil moisture characteristics and irrigation practices. Four profile were dug out to test how free even include all the styles in the farm , and the study found that the percentage of gravel in the first profile (Pt. 1) 25% in the surface and in the depth of 40 cm 15 % and in the depth of 120cm 10% and the textures of sand clay loam. In the second profile (Pt. 2) the proportion of gravel is 10% at the surface and in the depth of 30 cm 10 % and in the depth of 120 cm 15 % and the texture is sand clay loam. In the third profile (Pt. 3) at a depth of 35 cm the gravel was 10% at a depth of 100 cm was 10 %. In the fourth profile (pt4) the gravels percent at depth of 100cm was 15%. The results of infiltration rate tests and permeability for four sites .indicated that the first site has a moderate infiltration rate (2.0 cm/hr.) and a medium permeability in a depth of 50 cm (1.2 cm/ hr). at the second site the infiltration rate was relatively high (3.0 cm/hr.) and a moderate permeability in a depth of 50 cm (1.4 cm/hr.). In the third site infiltration rate was high (2.8 cm / hr). And a low permeability in the depth of 50 cm (1.0 cm /hr.) in while the fourth site was gave a very high dropout rate (3.5 cm/hr.) and very low permeability in the depth of 50cm (0.9 cm/hr.). According to the results it could be concluded that the different proportions of gravel affect soil physical properties as it affect the movement of water within the soil and as well the other soil physical properties. Accordingly, choosing of the appropriate irrigation system should consider these properties and not only this, but relevant crop management practices should as well be based on soil physical properties.