Soil Characterization and Land Suitability Assessment For A Farm land at West Omdurman – Khartoum state

Abstract

Study was carried out in farm located at north-western Omdurman within Khartoum state in the eastern side of the road of Omdurman - Dongola at kilometer 43. The total area of the farm about 100 feddans. The objectives of the study is to characterize the soil of the farm and to determine its suitability for irrigated farming for the production of field crops, fodder, vegetables, date palm, fruits and mangos by applying modern irrigation methods. The soils of the farm were described and sampled in the field at auger and profile site. Routine chemical and physical analyses were carried at the laboratory of the College of agricultural Studies (CAS), Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST). The results indicated that most of the topsoil has sandy loam to sandy clay loam textures and the subsoil has clay loam textures and are slightly gravelly. The color of the soils are yellowish red to red and the depth is moderately deep and shallow. The soils are non-saline and non-sodic. The fertility status of the soils is poor due to their adverse chemical and physical characteristics. Soil texture, depth, low nutrients availability, wind blowing are the main constraints limiting the use of these soils. The study recommended that the soils of this farm require a good soil conservation practices such as adding organic matter and growing adequate plant cover to avoid the damaging effects of soil erosion. 2 ‫‪proper irrigation methods should be practiced to allow for‬‬ ‫‪.soil nutrients replenishment‬‬