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Soil Amelioration Technique of Cover Drainage Combined Subsoiling for Saline-Sodic Clay in North Egypt
Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org
Citation: Paper number 022018, 2002 ASAE Annual Meeting . (doi: 10.13031/2013.9164) @2002Authors: M.M.Moukhtar, E.El-Hadidy M.Y.S.El-Arquan and M.A.B.El-Shewikh
Keywords: clay soil, Shallow saline groundwater, tile drainage subsoiling
Most of the northeastern parts of the delta are distinguished with low-lying areas, clay to
heavy clay soils with low permeability, saline to saline-sodic soils, shallow and salty ground water,
and artesian zone. Wider spacing accompanied with auxiliary treatments should be tested to
increase the efficiency of subsurface drainage. The aim is to study soil properties as affected by
drainage types for evaluating improvement soil condition for sustainable land use to prevent soil
deterioration. The El-Serw Drainage experimental field of 20 feddan (8.ha) was designed with
three-drain spacing treatments, 15 m., 30 m. and 60 metre separated by buffer zones. The two submain
treatments are parallel and net subsoiling with 1.5 metre apart and 50 cm. Depth.
Drain spacing and subsoiling type as well as interaction between them is highly affected on
water table depth and following the order: 15 m > 30 m > 60 m drain spacing and net > parallel >
no subsoiling. The best treatment for dropping water table is 15 m spacing combined with net
subsoiling for three seasons. Soil salinity is highly decreased in the upper surface layer than the
deeper layers by drainage treatments. Cover drains combined with subsoiling type treatments are
more affected on salinity than either tile drainage only or subsoiling only. The best treatment is 15
m drain spacing combined with net subsoiling treatments. Exchangeable sodium seems that drain
spacing or combined with subsoiling are slightly effect on exchangeable sodium percentage
especially on the soil surface layer. The net subsoiling is relatively more influence than parallel
subsoiling. Soil moisture content, bulk density, soil porozity and shrinkage are hsignificantly
affected with both treatments.