STUDIES ON THE RECLAMATION OF SOILS IRRIGATED FROM EL-SALAM CANAL

Abstract

El-Salam Canal project is one of the largest projects for agricultural extension in Egypt. Due to the scarcity of water resources mixed. water (drainage water and Nile water) will be used as the source of irrigation in the cultivated area of this project. The aims of the present study were : 1. to recognize the physical and chemical characteristics of the studied soils. 2. T classify such soils from the pedological point of view. 3. To investigate a proposed schedule for the reclamation of these soils by carrying out lab experiments. To fulfill those aims, seven soil profiles represent the main types of soils were selected and investigated around EI-Salam Canal east and west of Suez Canal. Soil columns were prepared by packing surface layer (0-30 cm) in plastic cylinders. According to electrical conductivity, the soil columns were divided into three sets. Sea water, El-Salam Canal water and their mixtures at 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:5 ratios, were used for leaching of the relevant soil columns. Gypsum requirements were added just before leaching with El-Salam Canal water. The important results are summarized as follows: 1. Soils are classified according to field observation and analytical data to four subgreat groups, namely ; Typic Psammaquents (profile 2 «32 km from El-Kantara »), Typic Torripsainments (profile 1«35 km north east of EI-Kantara east» and profile 4 «El-kantara east »), Typic Aquisolids (profil 3 «Tina plain », profile 6 « 30 km south ofPort-Said » and profile