Influence Of Calcium And Magnesium Oxide On The Properties Of Clay Soil In Babil Governorate

• Maher Nazim Al-Fatlawi

  Author

To study the effect of calcium and magnesium oxides on some physical and chemical properties of clay soil in Babil governorate, two study sites were selected: Al-Musayyib and Al-Mahawil. Soil samples were taken from each site at depths of 0-30 cm using a screw auger, with three samples collected from each site. these were then transported to the laboratory, dried, and ground with a wooden mallet, and then passed through a 2mm sieve for the required physical and chemical analyses. Water samples were also taken from the irrigation sources of each site and transported in glass containers labeled with the name of the study site to the laboratory for chemical analysis. CaO was added at a rate of 1.5%, MgO at 1%, and CaO + MgO at 2.5% the soil was irrigated every six days after 30 days, samples were taken again and analyzed chemically and physically to compare the results before and after the additions. The results showed that the addition of calcium and magnesium oxides had a positive effect on the physical and chemical properties of the soil, leading an increase in pH, a decrease in EC, and a reduction in exchangeable sodium and SAR. The addition of CaO increased exchangeable calcium, and MgO increased exchangeable magnesium, while their effect on potassium was minimal and did not negatively impact soil fertility. CaO + MgO showed the best results in improving chemical balance. physically, the additions led a decrease in bulk density and an increase in porosity and permeability.

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