Effect of land alignment and spatial soil salinity distribution on clover and sugar beet yield

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of spatial soil salinity distribution and land alignment on two crops grown on heavy clay soil in north-eastern Egypt. Two experimental sites were chosen, one located between two small ditches and the other located between a distribution canal and a drainage ditch. The soil type at both sites is heavy clay soil. Sixteen observation points at each site were chosen. Bulk soil salinity was measured by WET sensor at 10, 20, and 30 cm depth during four months of cultivation. Results showed that soil salinity increased downward for both crops and towards the distribution canal. Salinity observations were confirmed by maps showing the clover cover to be very poor in areas of high salinity located adjacent to the distribution canal. The percentage of green leaves for sugar beet was high during the first five weeks of cultivation, but it decreased sharply during the next seven weeks before harvest. This was probably due to the increasing soil salinity with soil depth. Higher salinity levels affected the roots only at a mature stage of plant.

Keywords:

• Soil salinity
• WET sensor
• crop yield
• Egypt