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Analysis of the agricultural situation in Azraq Basin
ANNEXES
German-Jordanian Programme “Management of Water Resources”
69
ANNEX 2: SOILS OF THE STUDY AREA
(BASED ON FIELD SURVEYS DONE FROM SEPTEMBER TILL DECEMBER
2010)
1 - Azraq Region
1.1 – Fin Silty, mixed, hyperthermic, family of Typic Haplosalids *.
This type of soil occurs on flat to very gently sloping Qa and wide
Silty wadis in the Azraq Oasis the soils are formed on unconsolidated
alluvium which derived from mixed basaltic limestone origin; these soils
found in South Azraq, around the oasis, Part of Al- Rat amah and Alelawat.
Soil Moisture regime is Aridic with a precipitation between 0-50mm,
average soil depth is 110 cm. when dry the surface is extremely hard,
presence of salt on the surface are common, strongly to moderately
calcareous and very saline with Salic horizon recognised at a depth of
50cm.
The top soils is yellowish brown to brown (10RY 6/4-7.5YR5/6) moderate
medium sub angular blocky, texture is Silty Clay (46.1% Clay, 52.4% Silt,
1.5% Sand), and strong reaction with dilute hydrochloric Acid.
The sub soil is brown (7.5YR4/4) moderate fine granular, moderately
thick Clay coating Silty Clay Loam, (44.8% Clay,54.9% Silt,0.3% Sand),
the soil overall Saline with Ece value of 42.5-109.4 mS/cm, ESP is very
high in the subsoil, whilst reaction is slightly alkaline at pH 7.6 with
CEC of 19.5-20.6me/100g, while CaCO3 levels is between (26.9-30.7%)
inherent fertility would be very low due to high salinities excessive
content through the profile ,with Organic Matter at 0.58%, Total-N of
0.06% and available –P about 29.4ppm,
The deep soils are dominants, arrowed the flooded area and the margins
of springs.