The National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) affiliated to Academy of Scientific Research and Technology(ASRT)Egyptian Journal of Soil Science0302-670157220170601Kinetics of N, P and K Release and CO2 Evolution in Organic Wastes Treated Sandy Soils125136361110.21608/ejss.2017.3611ENJournal Article20160207A LABORATORY incubation experiment was carried out for different time periods (0, 3, 7, 14, 30, 45 and 60 days) to study the effect of some organic wastes (farmyard manure, filter mud cake, compost and poultry manure) with and without biofertilizer incubation on some soil chemical properties (pH, EC and OM), CO2 evolution, and N, P and K release rates in a sandy loam soil amended with these organic wastes. <br />The effects of different organic wastes varied depending upon organic material type and the incubation period. The organic matter content and the pH of treated soil decreased with increasing the incubation periods especially with biofertilizer inocubation. The soil salinity significantly increased with adding each organic waste and with increasing the incubation period. The cumulative CO2 evolution level from each organic waste increased with the incubation time. The highest Corg level that were mineralized were found in the poultry manure amended soil, while the lowest ones were in the compost amended one. <br />The total amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium released from each organic waste treated soil significantly increased over the control treatment with time to reach the maximum level at 45 days for N and P and after 60 days for K, particularly with the biofertilizer incubation. The highest released amounts of N, P and K were recorded in the poultry manure amended soil with adding the biofertilizer.The National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) affiliated to Academy of Scientific Research and Technology(ASRT)Egyptian Journal of Soil Science0302-670157220170601Physiographic and Soil Mapping of Qena and El-Qarn Wadis by Using Remote Sensing and GIS137141362310.21608/ejss.2017.3623ENJournal Article20160127THE MAIN objective of the current study is to use remote sensing data and GIS to map the physiography and soils of Wadi Qena-Wadi El-Qarn area. To fulfill this objective the Landsat-8 image acquired during 2015 and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data employed. The preliminary physiographic map was produced and checked during fieldwork. A total of 20 soil profiles were collected and analyzed then the data were used to classify the investigated soils to sub-great group level. The correlation between physiography and soils was achieved. The results indicated that the main physiographic units in the area include Crest, Upland, Pediplain, Bajada and Wadis. These units are occupied by two sub-great groups , i.e. Typic torripsamments and Typic quartzipsamments.The National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) affiliated to Academy of Scientific Research and Technology(ASRT)Egyptian Journal of Soil Science0302-670157220170601A Simple Method to Measure Key Parameters of Soil-root Structure Using Medical X-ray Tomography Scanning Technique143153367610.21608/ejss.2017.3676ENJournal Article20160127ROOTS have an extreme impact on soil properties and parameters are essential toward successful crop management. The study aims at modifying simple and quick method to identify key parameters of root structure by using medical X-ray CT (X-ray computed tomography) scanning technique and assesses its potentials.The results reveal that the modified simple procedures made it possible to isolate the root from the soil and partially overcome the problem of partial volume effect, and the main taproot was shown located at 0 to 30 mm depth.This procedure presented appropriate technique for segmenting large amounts of data. The modified method reduced the duration of the experiment and the risk of sample disturbance compared with the conventional methods to derive the architecture and the functional imaging. Results of plant growth parameters were closely related to the morphological parameters measured using the medical X-ray CT techniques.This approach enabledobservingroot growth manner and how individual roots overcome obstacles on their way. The technique modification shows great potential to provide new fundamental insights into soil-plant interactions and increase understanding of soil plant relationship.The National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) affiliated to Academy of Scientific Research and Technology(ASRT)Egyptian Journal of Soil Science0302-670157220170601Effect of Surfactant on Adsorption and Mobility of Lead and Cadmium in Soils155165367710.21608/ejss.2017.3677ENJournal Article20160127THE PRESENT work investigates the effects of anionic sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) surfactant at critical micelles concentration (CMC) value on the sorption of Pb2+ and Cd2+ at different initial concentrations on four selected soil samples with different clay content through batch equilibrium experiments. Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to describe the sorption processes in the absence and presence of the aqueous solution of the surfactant. The sorption data fitted very well with both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model which gave high correlation coefficients. The KL and Qm ranged from 0.090-0.140 Lmg−1 and 3000-10000 mgkg−1 for adsorption of Pb2+ in absence of SDS, respectively. While, KL and Qm ranged from 0.030 -0.060 Lmg−1 and 600-2500 mgkg−1 and 0.95-0.0.99 for adsorption of Cd2+ in absence of SDS, respectively. The presence of anionic surfactant SDS in adsorption of Pb2+, KL and Qm ranged from 0.008-0.030 Lmg−1 and 2000-8000 mgkg−1, respectively. While, KL and Qm ranged from 0.010-0.022 Lmg−1 and 500-1200 mgkg−1 for adsorption of Cd2+, respectively. The Kf and n ranged from 90-140 Lkg−1 and 2.0-2.98 for adsorption of Pb2+ in absence of SDS, respectively. While, Kf and n ranged from 58-120 Lkg−1 and 1.5-2.08 for adsorption of Cd2+ in absence of SDS, respectively. The presence of anionic surfactant SDS in adsorption of Pb2+, Kf and n ranged from 74-115 Lkg−1 and 1.64-2.59, respectively. While Kf and n ranged from 22.87-96.18 Lkg−1 and 1.33-1.37 for adsorption of Cd2+, respectively. The results showed that both of Pb2+ and Cd2+ showed a reduction in their adsorption to soil particles when surfactant was present.The National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) affiliated to Academy of Scientific Research and Technology(ASRT)Egyptian Journal of Soil Science0302-670157220170601Mapping of Soil Salinity Using Electromagnetic Induction: A Case Study of East Nile Delta, Egypt167174370510.21608/ejss.2017.3705ENJournal Article20160201T he objective of this study is to map the spatial distribution of the soil salinity at field scale for site-specific management using the electromagnetic sensor (Geonics EM38). The salinity of an area of 67.2 ha cultivated wheat pivot field at East of Nile Delta, Egypt, was analyzed by reading the apparent soil electric conductivity (ECa) using the EM38 sensor at 432 locations within the pivot field. Twenty soil sampling sites were chosen according to spatial response surface sampling design (SRS). At those sites, soil core samples were taken at 0.3 m intervals to a depth of 0.9 m. Four soil variables were analyzed which are soil salinity (ECe), soil clay content (clay), soil water content (WC), and soil organic matter (OM). The multiple linear calibration model (MLC) was used to predict the depth-specific soil salinity ECe values at the remaining non-sampled locations. The MLC calibration model predicted ECe from EM38 signal readings with R2 ranging from 0.41 to 0.73 for the multiple-depth profile. Furthermore, the MLC model provided field range estimates of soil salinity. Ninety-one percent of the field had ECe values below 4 dS m-1. The obtained salinity maps were helpful to display the spatial patterns of soil salinity for site-specific management.<br /><br />The National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) affiliated to Academy of Scientific Research and Technology(ASRT)Egyptian Journal of Soil Science0302-670157220170601Response of Wheat Plants to Application of Selenium and Humic acid under Salt Stress Conditions175187371510.21608/ejss.2017.3715ENJournal Article20160203S elenium is an essential element for humans, animals and some species of micro-organisms; however, in higher plants the role of selenium is still unclear. The present investigation was carried out to study the response of wheat plants to selenium application in presence of humic acid under salt conditions, the study included evaluation for the impact of this response on productivity of wheat plants. To achieve this goal two germination experiments were performed in order to choose and define the best concentrations of selenium and humic aid. <br />Wheat grains were germinated on different concentrations from sodium selenite (5µm/l- 10µm/l- 20 µm/l- 40 µm/l- 80 µm/l) and humic acid (0.5gm/1000ml -1 gm/1000ml -2gm /1000ml- 1gm/100 ml -5gm/100 ml -10gm/100 ml -20gm/100 ml - 40gm/100 ml) after soaking the grains for 6 hours to select the most suitable concentrations. Wheat grains were then grown on sandy soil, under different concentrations from mixtures consisting of the best suitable concentrations of both selenium and humic acid under Salt Stress conditions. Based on the results of above preliminary experiments, field experiments were using performed saline soil.<br />Results showed that soaked wheat grains in different concentrations of mixtures of selenium and humic acid led to increases the percentage of germination as well as length both shoot and root along with their dry matter contents, were also favored total soluble sugars.<br />Results also revealed that used mixtures of selenium and humic acid in saline soil led to increases resistance of plants to salinity conditions, therefore decreasing the content of proline compared to control, in case of wheat grains, the treatments also improved the proportion of protein and selenium compared to the control.<br /> The National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) affiliated to Academy of Scientific Research and Technology(ASRT)Egyptian Journal of Soil Science0302-670157220170601Fertility Status and Indices of Micronutrients in Nile Valley Soils, East of the Nile River, Assiut Governorate, Egypt189199382910.21608/ejss.2017.3829ENJournal Article20160207SOIL surface and subsurface samples were collected using Global Position System (GPS) from selected soil profiles represented the different soils of 4 eastern districts (Abnub, El-Fateh, Sahel saleem and El- Badary) of Assiut Governorate, to evaluate the fertility status and indices of some micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) as well as their correlations with some chemical properties of these soils. The area of these studied districts that lies in the east of the river Nile was divided into 7 transects. A number of soil profiles was selected in each transect according to the Nile valley width.<br />Most of the studied soil samples showed neutral to moderately alkaline soil pH, safe soil salinity (ECe) levels and low to moderate contents of CaCO3. All studied soil samples contained sufficient amounts of the extractable Mn in both surface and subsurface layers, deficient to moderate amounts of the extractable Zn. On the other hand, DTPA- extractable Fe and Cu were always sufficient except for few surface soil samples in Sahel Seleem and subsurface soil samples in Abnub districts which had marginal levels of Fe and Cu, respectively.<br />All collected soil samples had high nutrient index value (NIV) for both DTPA-Cu and Mn, while they showed medium NIV for DTPA-Zn. On the other hand, both El-Fateh and Sahel Seleem district soils were high NIV of 2.38 and 2.50, respectively, whereas Abnob and El-Badary ones revealed medium NIV of 2.33 and 2.17, respectively for the DTPA- Fe. Significant negative correlations were recorded between the investigated extracted micronutrients and soil pH, ECe and CaCO3 content, whereas they were positively correlated to OM and CEC.The National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) affiliated to Academy of Scientific Research and Technology(ASRT)Egyptian Journal of Soil Science0302-670157220170601Effect of Water and Salt Stresses on Productivity of Cantaloupe in Ismailia Soil201214152910.21608/ejss.2017.1529ENAli AhmedAlidesert research centerAmr SadekMohamedDesert Research CentreJournal Article20161010Salinity is a major problem that negatively impacts agricultural activities in many regions in the world, and especially the Near East and North Africa region. Generally, salinity problems increase with increasing salt concentration in irrigation water. Water scarcity is a limiting factor for crop production in arid and semi-arid regions. Drip irrigation has the greatest advantages over other irrigation methods when saline water is used. In irrigated lands, the production of total and marketable yield depends largely on the quantity and salinity of the irrigation water. Field experiments were carried out in El Kasasin El Gedeida area, Ismailia governorate, Egypt (30° 36` N: 32° 15` E. 13 m a.s.l) during the summer season of 2015. The main objective was to investigate the effectiveness of applied irrigation water stress (IR100%, IR90%, IR80% and IR70%) at different salt stress levels of irrigation water SL (FW= 0.80, S1= 1.56, S2= 3.14 and S3= 6.25 dS m-1) on the total production of marketable yield (Ya), fruit quality parameters, water use efficacy (WUE), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and yield response factor (Ky) of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. cantalupensis). The results revealed that the total production and fruit quality parameters of cantaloupe except diameter (D), protein (P) and (pH) were recorded significantly increased with the increase of SL for all IR treatments. Also, fruit quality of cantaloupe except (D), (P) and total soluble solid (TSS) were recorded significantly increased with the decrease of IR for all SL treatments. The values of ETcadj and Ks decreased with increasing SL for all IR treatments while, decreased with decreasing IR for all SL treatments. In addition; the maximum value of Ya for cantaloupe was 7.65 Mg fed-1 under FW and IR100% (control treatment). While, the minimum value of Ya was 1.71 Mg fed-1 under S3 and IR70% treatment. Also, the results reported that the FW and IR80% treatment recorded the maximum increases reached 33 and 18 % for WUE and IWUE of cantaloupe respectively, compared to that under control treatment. The minimum value of Ky for cantaloupe was 0.17 under FW and IR80% treatment. Finally, to save approximately 20% of applied irrigation water, IR80% could be used under salinity levels of irrigation water (FW, S1 and S2). While, to save approximately 10% of applied irrigation water, IR90% could be used under SL (S3).The National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) affiliated to Academy of Scientific Research and Technology(ASRT)Egyptian Journal of Soil Science0302-670157220170601Accumulation of Some Heavy Metals in Plants and Soils Adjacent to Cairo – Alexandria Agricultural Highway215232153010.21608/ejss.2016.281.1047ENTagredHashimBenha University, Faculty of Agriculture, Soils and Water DepartmentHassan HAbbasBenha University, Faculty of Agriculture, Soils and Water Department0000-0001-5645-4835Ihab MFaridBenha University, Faculty of Agriculture, Soils and Water DepartmentOmarEl-HusseinyBenha University, Faculty of Agriculture, Soils and Water DepartmentMohamed HAbbasBenha University, Faculty of Agriculture, Soils and Water department0000-0002-1905-1241Journal Article20161012Automobile exhausts are considered the main source of air pollution with heavy metals. Airborne pollutants are precipitated on soils surrounding highways causing serious ecological hazards. The current study aimed at evaluating levels of Pb, Ni, Co and Cd in surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-40 cm) soils nearby Cairo-Alexandria agricultural highway, and their accumulation in plants grown thereon. Seven locations were sampled at interval distances 50 meters on both sides of the highway road near Toukh city (Qualubya Governorate). Cabbage and citrus plants were also sampled and separated into its parts. Results revealed that the investigated soils are contaminated with Pb, Ni and Cd. These contaminants were brought to the subsurface layers of the soil at relatively high concentrations. Total and DTPA-extractable contents of Pb and Ni in the top surface soil decreased with increasing the distance from the high way on both sides of the road. Moreover, concentrations of these metals in the cabbage parts were significantly correlated with their total and DTPA-extractable contents. However, Co and Cd in soils seemed to be not affected by the exhausts of the cars on the highway. Heavy metals decreased in cabbage parts as follows: root > stem > outer leaves > inner leaves > core. Calculated BAF values for Pb, Ni and Co were very low indicating that cabbage might be an excluder for these metals whereas, their transfer from roots to shoots (transfer factor, Ts) were high. Heavy metal concentrations in citrus decreased as leaves > flavedo > albedo > segments. Generally, concentrations of heavy metals in plants particularly Pb exceeded the permissible limits.The National Information and Documentation Centre (NIDOC) affiliated to Academy of Scientific Research and Technology(ASRT)Egyptian Journal of Soil Science0302-670157220170601Evaluation of Poultry Manure and Acidified Water for Improving Phosphorus Utilization from Bone Char: A Comparative Study233245357910.21608/ejss.2017.928.1101ENAmal H.MahmoudSenior researcher in Institute of Soil, Water and Environment Research, ARCMaherSalehAlexandria uni.Ahmed A.El-RefaeyDepartment of Soil & Water Sci., Faculty of Desert and Environmental Agriculture (Fuka branch), Alexandria University, EgyptJournal Article20170414Animal bone char (BC) is, recently, evaluated as one of potentially sustainable sources of phosphate fertilizer to face the accelerated depletion of mined phosphate rock (PR). Further explorations are needed to investigate its behavior when applied to soils in comparison with direct application of PR. Column leaching and greenhouse experiments were carried out to evaluate and compare the behavior of both BC and PR. Results of column leaching experiments showed that water soluble phosphorus (WSP) released from BC-filled columns represented 5 to 476 folds of that released from PR columns throughout the experiment period. Mixing poultry manure (PL) with BC or PR enhanced rate of columns leaching of WSP particularly with increasing the rate of application. Leaching by acidified water significantly increased the solubility of BC-P and PR-P compared with those released in water leachates. Similar increases were only obtained in PL:BC mixtures whereas the increases in acidified WSP were observed only in PR columns and did not occurred in PL:PR mixtures. Besides the occurrence of organic fractions of P in BC, poultry litter degradation derivatives are, probably, serve as potential complexing legends with calcium and cause a further release of P from BC in water leachate. While the huge amounts of protons (H+) in acidified water play a crucial role in apatite dissolution in both sources (BC and PR). Results of P availability after leaching showed that Olsen-P was greatly higher in all columns of BC than PR. In BC columns, concentrations of formic acid-P and citric acid-P resulted from water leached columns were higher than those resulted from acidified water leached ones while; there was no significant changes in PR columns. The higher solubility and availability of BC-P than PR-P were translated in higher biomass and grain yield of maize treated by BC-P in comparison with those treated with PR-P and their mixtures with PL.