Properties and Classification of Some Oasis Soils of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia PDF

Keywords

irrigation, oasis, soils

Abstract

A field study utilized some soils under date palm cultivation (Phoenix dactylifera L.) in the oasis of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Some of these soils have a mollic epipedon. The formation of this diagnostic epipedon could be attributed mainly to the frequent irrigation, natural drainage, and the addition of organic material from annual burning of weeds and other plant residues. It is, thus, suggested that these soils should not be classified as Typic Torripsamments as are the surrounding uncultivated soils. These soils best fit the criteria for Typic Haplaquolls and Typic Haplaquents which may be true of most of the oasis soils of Al-Ahsa under date palm cultivation.