Evaluation of Selected Physical and Chemical Properties and Nutrient Status of Gypsiferous Soils in Al-Bu Tuma, Tikrit District, Iraq

الملخص

This research study aimed at describing the physicochemical characteristics of the soils of Al-Bu Tuma area, Tikrit district, Salah al-Din province, with the objective of measuring their salinity and fertility levels and to determine the impact of agricultural activities and fertilization on some soil characteristics. A total of 23 surface soil samples were collected from different sites at a depth of 0-30 cm representing soils of wheat, vegetable crops and fallow. Soil samples were subjected to important physical and chemical analysis such as bulk density, porosity, particle size distribution, soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter, gypsum and calcium carbonate contents, in addition to measuring total nitrogen and available phosphorus. It was found that there are differences in some soil characteristics among the study sites. Values of bulk density were between 1.13 and 1.55 g cm⁻³, porosity 41.51-57.36%, pH values 7.10-7.99, EC 2.14-4.86 dS m⁻¹. Organic matter content was between 3.3 and 27.2 g kg⁻¹. Values of gypsum content were between 60.3 and 143.3 g kg⁻¹, calcium carbonate 110 and 210.5 g kg⁻¹. Total nitrogen content was between 11 and 46 mg kg⁻¹, while available phosphorus was between 4.17 and 16.54 mg kg⁻¹. In general, the soils had high gypsum and calcium carbonate contents with high salinity, in addition to low organic matter and some nutrients.