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International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture

ISSN Online: 2578-3475 Downloads: 232895 Total View: 3088995
Frequency: quarterly ISSN Print: 2578-3467 CODEN: IJFSJ3
Email: ijfsa@hillpublisher.com
Article Open Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2021.06.003

Influence of Natural and Artificial Soil Conditioners on Water Holding Capacity and Hydraulic Conductivity of Sandy Soils

Faisal Zeineldin1,*, Khalid Biro1, Abdulrahman O. Alghannam2

1Water Studies Centre, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf, Al-Hassa 31982, Saudi Arabia.

2Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food Science, Al-Hofuf, Al-Hassa 31982, Saudi Arabia.

*Corresponding author: Faisal Zeineldin

Published: April 13,2021

Abstract

Hot climatic condition of arid and semi-arid regions trigger rates of high evaporative water demand on the cultivated areas. Also, domination of coarse textured soils has negative impact on water use efficiency and nutrient availability. Coarse textured soils, sandy or loamy sand soils, dictated most soils of the agricultural regions of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Therefore, there is a need for adoption of appropriate agricultural practices of water conservation. Hydraulic properties of the coarse textured soils enhance drainage of irrigation water and nutrient away below the root zone. The objective of the study was to investigate influence addition of super-absorbent polymer as an artificial conditioner, dry cattle manure, date palm biochar and clay soil as natural conditioners on hydraulic properties of sandy soils. Water holding capacity (WHC) of amended sandy soils by the conditioners were evaluated against varying low soil matric tensions (-0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8 and -1 bars). Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) of the amended sandy soils was assessed in laboratory with a digital pressure censored apparatus. The outcomes showed all conditioners except the polymer enhanced the retention ability of sandy soils and decreased the Ks. WHC of the amended sandy soils increased by 379%, 200%, 74% and 32%, respectively, due to addition of 10% date palm biochar, 0.4% K-HCP polymer, 10% silt-clay-loam soil and 10% cattle manure. The Ks of sandy soil (control) decreased by 74%, 59% and 47%, respectively, due to addition of date palm biochar, silt-clay-loam, and cattle manure, but to the K-HCP polymer increased by 31%. Natural soil conditioners attested to be very effective in improving WHC and reducing Ks of sandy soils.

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How to cite this paper

Influence of Natural and Artificial Soil Conditioners on Water Holding Capacity and Hydraulic Conductivity of Sandy Soils

How to cite this paper: Faisal Zeineldin, Khalid Biro, Abdulrahman O. Alghannam. (2021) Influence of Natural and Artificial Soil Conditioners on Water Holding Capacity and Hydraulic Conductivity of Sandy Soils. International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture5(2), 219-227.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2021.06.003