Investigation of Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil in the Middle Euphrates Reclamation Project Area in Iraq

Abstract

A field study was conducted in the selected area as part of the Euphrates Reclamation Project. The Middle Euphrates region was chosen for this study. Samples were collected from different locations, spaced 2 kilometers apart. Following sample collection and preservation, chemical analyses were performed in the laboratory to determine the chemical properties of the deposits. The results of the analyses indicated that soils in some areas tended towards alkalinity, with a pH value averaging around 7. Additionally, the results of the Electrical Conductivity (EC) analysis revealed that the deposits in the area exhibited high salinity, especially in the second and fourth samples. Potassium levels were also examined using Flame photometry, revealing very low potassium content in the soil, an essential element for plant growth. The high sodium content in most of the study area indicates salinity, necessitating soil enrichment with potassium and the use of soil salinity management techniques, as elaborated in the conducted research.