DEVELOPFL T W NEV1 FOR 11M 9:1T UL

Consultant's Rep July-November 1977

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS surT.v.

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Petolonm and Minerals Directorate of Agricultuve

Development ofNewLand for Irrigated Agriculture in Oman Soil and Land Classification

A Soil Consultant Report July November1977 0MA/77/001

By

Dr. Hatim ElAttar Associate Professor of Soils University of Alexandria

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

1 977 The designucions employed and the presentation of material in dris publicatik-qi r..ro not imply the expression of cuy opinion vvhaisoever on'the pan oi the Food and Agricultuie Organization iheUniced1\1a-donsconceining Chelegal status of any counril,t, i7enitory, city or area or of its authorities, 'Di concerning the delimit.ation cof its ftontier.s or boundaries.

The copyright in this book is vested in the Food and AgricultureOrga- nization of the Uniieci Nations. The book may not be reproduced, in vvhole or in part, by any method or plocess, vvidiour writ-ten permission from the copyright holder.Applications roi such permission, with a sCaternent of the purpose and extent of i.he ieproduction desired, should beaddressed to the Directoi, Publications Division, rood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100Rome, Italy.

© FAO 1978 Table of Contents Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 - INTRODUCTION 1 2 - SUMMARY Or CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 2 3 -SUMMARY Or' AVAILABLE INr'ORMATION 6 4 -WORK PLAN AND METHODS 13

4.1 - ield work 13 4.2 -Laboratory analyses 14 4.3 -racilities and equipments 16

5 -SOIL ANDLAND SUIT ILITY CLASSTFICATIONS 18

5.1 - The southern Batinah Region 20

5.1.1 - Rumais xarms 2,0

i) oarm No. 1 21 ii) .varm No.2 22 iii) Nursery l'arm 23 iv) Farm No.3 23 v) Experiment station farm 24

5.1.2 -Rumais cross section 24 5.1.3 -Remarks and recommendationF, 25 5.2 -The northern Batinah Region .26 5.2.1 -Sohar production farm 26 5.2.2 -Sohar dairy farm 27 5.2.3 -Sohar - Saham projects 28 i) Sohar new project 29 )Soham new project 29

5.2.4 -Remarks and recommendations 30 5.3 -The Sharcliya Region 32 5.3.1 -Reconnaissance survey 32 5.3.2 -Ad Dariz - Al Izz vicinity 33 5.3.3 -south Al Kamil new project 34 5.3.4 -north Al Kamil new project 34 5.3.5 -Remarks and recommendations 35 Table of Contents cont'd

page 5.4 - The Interior Region 36 Reconnaissance survey 5.4.1 36 Manah project site 5.4.2 36 5.4.3 -Remarks and recommendations 37

REFLRENCES

APPEJOIX 39

List of Tables .39 List of Maps 99 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This work has been completed withthe co-operation of Omani Officials and YAO Experts. The author wishes to thank Dr. M.H. Hosni, rA0 Project Manager, and Dr. Nader Bakkar, rA0 Expert for their continuous guidance and help, without them this work would not be possible.

The soil and water analyses were completed by the sincere and very hard effort of the Soils Laboratory Staff:

Mr. G.N. Baily Laboratory Director Mr. Mohamed Suleman Chemist Mr. Abdul Malek Abdul Aziem - Agronomist Mr, Mostafa Ali Mostafa Agronomist Mr, Osma Ahmed Foda Lab. Assistant Mr. Hassan Ali Ossman Lab. AEJsist

Special thariks are extended to the AO Secretary, Mrs. Sharlffe, for typinE the draft report. .777,TION

The origineJ of r- e and to assemble soil maps according to the tem ,Aol;s1 AfFifor the Sultanate of Oman.

Upon arrival to Oman on July1977, ' Government Officials asked for urgent consultancy:

to carry out a comprehe,isive soil stuOy oC the existing government production and experimental farms in tflo Batinah region;

to select a suitable area to initiate a new experiment anr ch farm in the Interior region near Niswai

to select suitable aseas at-.0he legion in the vicinities of IbraAd z, Al Komi'. AlWanaud. Bani A Beni Nassam,

The consultant was asked c.:,,Ld advised by Dr. M.HOOD1)the FAO Project Manager, to review the earlier soil oul:Ney tha he bezn recently combleted by several Consulting Agencies as a guideto proceed ìu thiS miesion.

The following three reports were consulted comprehensively during the work:

water resourcos development project of Northern Oman, International Land Development Consultants (IL.'WO)1975;

water resources surveyof Northern Oman, Sir Alexander Gibb and Partnersand ILACO1975;

water resources survey in Northern East Oman, Renardet Sauti ICE Consulting Engineers1975.

The general information presented in this report is extracted from these reports.

The Omani Government provided the consultant with1974-1975aerial photographs of the scale 1:20000.

All soil and water analys data presented in this report were made at the soils laboratory at the Rumais Exp r 1tation.

The full cooperation betwn the FAO Water Resources experts and the soil consultant made this work possible. 2

2 1DATIONS

Linring .this1-311,v, .1,LT4sttNansy ).cr ties were completed as besi, es 'he

A review of previou Oinan.

A detailed stir a Gol.rert the Batinsh2:0iS10:0

Selecti i vey of the new project icinity.

Se3eetion and survey si.te 2-or farm in Manah area nea' N.U2. O JOTnteplor vegior. Selection of some project areas at Ad Dari and Al KamilAl Wafi of the Sharqiya region.

2.1 1 Findin s IH'Jmmendation Out of a total (5.T30 .)onitant, about 2 900 ha were foundto be cul Asrh,Dwn in the following table. This means 'ha, the piset ordivated 1,VQL1,(135 11:rL) within the sarveyed regions could be expanded by 25timet2, .1)jec te the a,cu:ritability cf trragati.ou water aud 'he other inputs. The pert3oota8e dictl-ibu:i fhe suitable soils for irrigated ezpansion withir the surveye(1. raloris s 100, 50,"33 and 60A in Southern lhttinah, Northern Batihah, Sha5'qi)ia and Intarnor fzegjohs, Pv,pectively.

A training caer affiliated to'6h.,:! Agrjcnita. Institute at Rimk, uhould be able to ireovde the Sultarra;°?vr°:;.;.:1 6oi11iw..!ly qufLlified .cletev:icultural engineering o.ssistants.

Technical land and r4pil sui°vey u sboul,l be adm.Instfated tl-ror the Directorato of Agrjeultuc, ;iuita'ele tools ,nd cquipments for both field office as uull es Co: cazto&raph no2:Uruished.

The soils laboratory- haL:t.) be compleed id3trent1iened to carry out essentil types of soi, olant and fortilier cl:,*.7.1es that may be requjred for all the above needed assesementtJ.

An irrigation081-;_ot'00-0.1510:6alt is coded, to holp In eotablishing proper Ivter distribution aald management oi'uctices andlhcliaseminating this informa-ton to users.

2.2Rumais Farms

The soils of . .E3farms a clered of marginal tyPes. Very coarse, very

shallow end gravo11s soil proles afo domina'it, No Tuher irrigated 414f:!!!!''culture eatensioa is recommcAtded in this Water distribution d mt. should be improved through: 1) meinning Later ?awa,s-c ours czo.d well intensity low to prevent sea water loJc;',1: .i) developmet of spr:.n.1'.1nr much Lyrea.' for different crops, if they cau (e technicangizAapropeA

collection and ovese;.^sEA, wa;:erCOASMIlp00Ag *00.0-31' wAof so:0 ovel x slapers:;;IYee o.s wall as n-Plev me'ueorolo4e.,0 iv) evening and perhaps night irrigation may be required to reduce evaporation losses. - 3 -

Surveyed

Fa 1 10 50 50 Farm 2 15 100 100

Farm3 15 100 100 liur se ry Farm 10 50 50 Experiment Station Farm 15 100 100

North Batir Region:

Sobar L».:7oduct, Farm 20 Sohar Dairy Farm 20 200 500 Sohar New Project 750 1500 Saham New Project 750 1500

Sharc.-

Ad Diz vicinity 100 500 North Al Kami 1 20 300 500 South Al Kamil 10 100 500

Ir 300 500

Total: 135 2900 5900 4

-Soil i) avoi,

Fertilf be oilh the zobl_ura7ve,1».161!, Tt:GNop p7oduo.6lOt Idological 111;Pocdo).7iution, and soil nitresc

parion of 1.-aocoll- 1:10% cojl fafi.uvob.tologv e....:pev't, iiy ba coAsuL6.30, oolle abeto2:, ,Y::'i; 1 fim wou d he contracted tc,

mlnimi!Jin 11,7.;3Of 111,1!,): .;°,,J;1 ?.(2 ')iial.N,Ar.ded. Rsa :11Ub,-3G1-6nto Die.dhao. QEAT another ive which will rJupply hol,h

iv) folie bt, fertilizerleaching uso of mica°ohurjen'u fet;i

asseesment of aaee.i, well as00 Mn, Cu 13) ip o1J. and

2.3 Sohar- ah Pro'oc

The soll-,:. Lhoset, Rulaaie. There Is a good soil po.'6o° idlitT tt 3C Jj,ed agr-u7ultifte.The soils have deepe:' soi3 aqd u101 lou g2ENcl conteDt.

hoza7.'cl-; 1.716oh. uhmld heleached as coo,ia1,3 AGE.9.011 coxl at (

wate hours 2 should be reduced because of their cula

- Oft e , soil ar the fo -/a :vs ant nsider:

0: hit u0ooz;.1,: as soon as possibla pret..(i V1,7.1101U1',,Li i)heavy 1.sfoi-3 on setf, 15.00. to211QL'ovo soil

filcvo, 71

f..60 1,P,.'", 1,11'11;0 4 soil mlwAljoq» co -5

2.4 Sh,?' ra Re ion

The 'eeconnaissance and semi detailed surveys show that good soil and water potentials are found near A.1 Kamil, but madfalm to marginal ones are found near Ad Davis. 17o good water potentials are expected near Bilad Beni Hassan and Beni Ali. Other areas near Al Wasil and Al Zahir are sandy and rough but with good water resources.

To develop the selected project areas in this region the following should be noted:

i) water resources investigations should proceed to provide certain data indicating the availability of water of suitable quality;

provided that suitable water is found,a soil survey team should follow a land (topography) team, both being providedwith adequate facilities, to prepare land and soil maps at proper scale;

since the selected areas are subject toflood hazards it is essential to prepare engineering water conservaLion plans toprevent flood hazards. One important action is to adjust the wadi courses;

kv) the selected areas are subject to blown sand hamards.Wind breaks should be initiated early during the veclamation period, i.e. prior to cultivation. These wind breaks should be several lines thick.A Forestry expert should be consulted to decide on the suitable plants, direction and spacing of the wind breaks.

Sand dune stabilization is highly important in Sharqiya region.

Precise land levelling and high rates of water applications should be practiced on sandy soils to provide as even a water distribution as possible. Drip or sprinkler irrigation may help.

Small private farm holdings, at the rate of one for each well, may be suitable in Sharqiya region. Avoid establishing governmental farms as much as possible.Only demonstration farms would be governmentally managed.

A resthouse should be built in Shargiya region to facilitate the living conditions of experts and teams of workers required for the extensive studies.

2.5 Interior Region

The soils of the project area are well developed.Deep soil profiles with a calcic B horizon are found. The textures are medium to fine. The area is hot. The water is limited.The possibility of soil salinization is great.

Soil, water and fertility management have to be very carefullystudied and practiced.

The falaj systems have to be maintained, speciallyfalajs Khatum and Messarag, to increase their flow rate and to secure wateravailability for new irrigated land.

Furtherground water development should be investigated and somewells may be developed to add another source of irrigation water. 6

3 4ARY OF

3.1 Ihe Sultanato of Om an area of 300 000 sq. kmconsists of five main regions: the nortnern peninsula at the Strait of Hormuz;

Bat (nolt:th east coast), the noP1,11 cenLeal of Oman parallel t,o the Gulf coast to the east of Jebe] .f1;.hdal.; c)Interior - the north central of C, to the west of Jebel Akhdar;

d)911,7iva - the north 1 Gf Ornan, T174.1 region includes the central east coast f4as?_T island and the Wahiba Sands which i ion stretching about 600 kmssouth west of northerq e)Dhet-0 - theou 1A-1-t region which is hilly (500-1000 m) and famous for its sun,,i 3.2 Geomorsholo7 3.2.1 Mountains

Tho Oma:o_ mountain r. :Ci11C 50-75 lailowide yealzsof 20(J mo-L,ofs above sea level,,is directed - TwIrrOlT1 1.115 coa:,0, of ill30ul

The majo cenal paY:i, of the mcnutain GonAst o; 7tamorphio rocks. Gabbros, perido and serpertinel,; lho dominan(ult' ' Along the Efl:±; of the j.hientary rock formation, mainly of limestones and marls are fA. On all sides of the mountains a 1,,gG system of alluvial fans spreads out,ihe wadi-fan complex and the flood plain a2-e 1,,ah a ooasLal comple7 in the east side (Batinah).On the west side (Interior and ShF)voiya) the alluvial complex is affected by the sand seas formations of the Rube' .",1-Kha1i (unnopnloted regTon). 3.2.2 W ex This is a system of older and -11t up of c, detritus.

Different levels of -;c3,2-CP.00Ei arc recocwea The oldoi. rmaions Et33 nnerally conglo- mere:Led in the deeper-ly-ng ls:yero cemeuLed by cavbc -!s in the up:u-layers.

The wadi deposits consist of coarse sand, L and boulders. LEGEND PROJE47 AREAS SuRVEYED AREAS GULF OF OMAN

2 0Ie

N

P,

0 U0 109le9

(.1" 8

3.2.3AccumulationFlain(flood 1

The plain formations are very flat. The sediments deposited in the plain are principally of alluvial origin, transported by wadisand also by sheet floods.

In some places, dried up wadi beds, old terraces, sanddunes, and lagoons have become Thus, sources of wind-borne deposits.A great deal of these materials have been reworked. aeolian and alluvial processes are strongly mixed up. Aeolian sands and loams are interbedded with wadi sands and gravels.

Near the coast, aeolian sediments such as fine loamysand, sandy loan and loam are (sands and gravels). dominant. In land the alluvial sediments are generally coarser

Local dune formation occurs mainly near and along themain wadi channels. The wadi sands were deflated and redeposited.

Low mounds or small micro-dunes (Nebkhas) developed around herbsand grasses are a common characteristic feature of the accumulationplains.

The surficial layers of some deposits or formations are oftendeflated, leaving a surface covered with gravel (desert pavement

3.2.4Coastal Complex

Generally, the coastaa complex is composed of the following:

a long-shore sandbar, emerging 5-10 m alN )sea level. It of marine sands mixed with shell fragments. It Ibuilt up by :m-tion, It has been reworked by wind into ]ow dunes in .4- ..places;

a large flat saline area (coastal Sabkha) Which has originated from coastal l.o Strong stratification of fine sands with medium and fine textured marine and coastal sediments is a characteristic of the coastal Sebkha;

older sand bars and Se1mkhm, -Plese are found moro inland, often covered with recent olian deposits of matials reworked by winds. Low sandy dunes are moving inland (unstable) over th flat clayey or loamy surfaces of the older saline flats. The presence of shells in these areas confirms the marine origin of these sediments.

3.3 Climate

The existence of a high mountain range near the coast greatly influences the climate of the Sultanato of Oman. While the rainfall on and near the mountains is sufficient to support irrigated agriculture in small areas where there is aquifer storage, much of the country remains arid.

- The climatic year could be divided into two distinct periods.The winter months are from November to April. The predominant air flow is from the north west during the winter.

The summer months are from June to September with a mansoon air flow from the south west.

May and October are the months of transition between the winter and summer conditions.

Winter conditions arise from a general area of low prsure over the Indian Ocean eLtending over the low coastal region of Oman. A modificaT3:)17.72through from the eastern Mediterranean can migrate in a south easterly direction to icounter the Jabal Akhdar or moist air moving inland from the Gulf of Oman. Summer conditions are strongly influenced by the formation of the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is the junction between two main air streams, the north westerlies (on. the Arabian Gulf) and the south west monsoon which is deflected, toa south easterly by the Arabian land mass.

Normally the monsoon flow is shallow giving little rain inland. Inputs of more humid air from the east or through crossing the Gulf of Oman from Iran trigger local storms.

In summary, the major factors governing the amount of rainfall and its geographical distribution and frequency of occurrence would appear to be the number of cold fronts crossing the area in the winter months, and the position of the ITCZ in the summer.

Generally, May, June, October and November would be expected to have little rainfall. Despite high variability from year to year there is a distinct seasonal pattern shown by the records.

At Muscat, (Batinah), rainfall tends to occus in the winter months from December to April. Only occasionally are there summer storms.

At Nizwa, (Interior), the winter rainfall appears to occur mainly in February and April, less often in January and March, and rarely in December. There is rainfall in July in most years of the record (Gibb' with less frequent falls in August and September.

At the desert region of Sharqiya there is an erratic rainfall.

At Dhofar, summer rains are famous.

The following summary of temperature and evaporation records is after Mr. P. Horn, FAO water resources expert.

Temperature and Evaporation Winter Sumner

Mean max °C 28 40 Mean min. °C 18 30 Mean annual °C 28 Evaporation rate mm/day 3-4 6-9

In the interior plain as well as in theSharqiya plain the relative humidity is much lower than in the Batinah (coastalplains), and the mean wind velocities are much higher resulting in higher evaporation rates in the Interior and Sharqiya. - 10-

3.4 Rainfall and Water Resources

Rainfall is more regular but highly variable quantity over northern Oman but of low dependability over the eastern desert regionSharqiya) and Dhofar (southern region).

Few short periods of heavy showers of short durations in northern Oman cause surface run off.

The gravel-filled wadi courses and the alluvial plains on all sides of the mountains serve to capture most of the surface flow from the hard rock areas and some part of the rainfall on the plains.

Typical annual median values are 100 to 115 mm on the coast and 50-100 in the interior of northern Oman, rising to 300-400 mm in the mountains and only 70-100 mm in the Dhofar region.

In the coastal plain there is a ground water basin with permeable formations saturated with fresh water. The sea water/fresh water interfaceisat a greater depth in the area south of Saham (north Batinah) than to the north. The falaj systems are not common in this reach.

In the Interior and Sharqiya the ground water seems to be bound to certain channels of limited depth. Several falaj systems are common in these two regions.

The total water resources could be estimated at around 1000 M cu m/year ending up as ground water and around 300 M cu m/year surface water flowing to waste.

The present cultivated areas are estimated (1975) to be as follows:

17000- ha Batinah 6000 ha Interior 2500 ha Sharqiya 3000ha Dhofar

Total 28500 ha

It is estimated that this area would consume 800-900 t cu m/year, therefore, around 100-200 M cu m/year could appear feasible for further irrigation developments.

3.5 Vegetation

The vegetation is strongly influenced by the source rainfall, the salt content of the soil and the availability of water.

Xerophytic or halophytic types of vegetation are dominant.

The vegetation patterncan ITabroadly correlated with physiographic position of the land forms. Little or no vogotation could be found on desert sandy land form. Halophytic types (Zygophyllum sp. and Haloxylon salicornium) are grown on salt affected land forms of Sebkha near the coast or on low lagoonal type formations in the flood plains. Xerophytic types (Acacia sp. and Tamarix indica) could be recognized in all land forma that may experience some rainfall or run off. The growth pattern of xerophytic type plants reflects the availability of moisture in the formation being '11

well developed on moist conditions. Grasses could be recognized after rainyseasons and its growth is much affected by the rain quantity,intensity and duration.

3.6 Soil and Land Resources

There are considerable amounts of information availableon land and water resources. For some reason, these regional suryey reportsare not properly co-ordinated. These reports followed different patterns, system and detaillevels of classifications.

From the point of view of soil and land use classification thereport by ILACO is the most comprehensive. This report followed the internationally accepted systems of soil and land classification and to a great extent the FAO-UNESCOsystem. Both the ILACO and Gibb's reports give very reasonable reconnaissancesurvey of the Northern (Batinah and Interior) regions. These two reports included come semi detailed surveys of selected areas or farms.

The Gibb's report, however, slightly used the FAO system of soil classification and mostly followed the natural classification systems with some correlation to the USDA (American) system without being very specific.

The third report of Renardet Sauti ICE gave only a fair reconnaissance survey of land resources. This report followed the French natural system of land classification.

All three reports did not give enough or complete and clear data.Their presented data in certain cases do not support their diagnosis of the different characteristic horizons. In effect, their reported soil types or classes sufferred some ambiguity. The following points may make this clear.

The cambio horizons and classes are reported without presenting any characteristics except in some cases as the texture property.

The calcic horizons or classes were reported while the given CaCo3 percentages do not fulfill the requirements of calcio horizons. The soils of Oman aregenerally calcareous and sometimes highly calcareous, therefore, calcaric classes "calcaric fluvisol".

The aridic moisture regime of Oman leadsto a great confusion in the reported soil classes. While a great deal of weight was given to the Yermosols or desert soil formations, Xerosols were reported in the coastal flood plain of northern Oman.

The fluvisols were given much smaller weight than they should have. The wadi, fan, and flood plain formations with their stratification property as well as the weak development of the soil profiles were appreciated in all reports. Many fluvisols however were classed as Yermosols in both ILACO and Gibb's reports.

The saline phases were sometimes wrongly classified as Solonchalk classes. -12-

These confusions were furthe :cpea- ed in the reports of Dr. Hesse that had to be based on the ILACO and Gibb data without being checked with further field and laboratory studies.

The estimated most suitable or potential extension areas in the surveyed regions are summarized in the following table.

It can be concluded that about75,000ha are of the suitable classes 1to 3, from which55,000ha are in the Batinah region. Only about15,500ha are in the Interior and 3,500 ha are potentially in Shargiya region.

Distribution of Suitable and Potential Land

and Class Area (ha) Location Reference

Suitable 23,000 Batinah ILACO 2-3 31,500 Gibb IV 5 4,600 2-3 4,400 IV

Possible in Wadi Bani Kharus i able 7,900 Interior ILACO 1-3 0,675 TI Gibb 1 0,120 Wadi Cluriyat 2 2,120 II TI I 3 1,360 I! II TI 5 0,750 6 3,020 1-3 2,900 Possible inu Potential 3,500 Sharqiya Renardet 13

4 - WORK PLAN AND NDTHODS

4.1 Field W ork

The existing governmental production or experimental station farms at Rumais were visited. Soil and water potentialities were examined. Observations on the existing cultivated areas, the crop production, the soil and water as well as the fertility managements were carefully considered.

Detailed soil survey was completed for these farms. Several soil lores to the depth of 120 cm or to the gravel or rock layer were examined and sampled for laboratory analyses. Representative soil pits were carefully examined, described and sampled.

A cross section representing the detrital fanwadi complex, the flood plain and the coastal complex was examined and results are reported. This cross section study and analyses made it possible to understand and to make some adjustments to the earlier surveys to fit the FAO system of soil and land classification.

The SoharSaham new projects that are suggested to be financed by the World Bank Fund have been given a special priority. These project areas represent the northern Batinah region which has greater soil potentiality than the Rumais vicinity.The water resources seem to be good for further irrigation development, however, we feel the necessity of further water resources studies in this region. The water studies should include both the capacity of the aquifers and quantity and the quality of the ground water available for irrigation developments.

In this area also the Sohar production farm, the Dairy Farm (FMC) as well as some private farms were surveyed on the observation (reconnaissance) and the detailed levels according to the facilities available and as much as time oermits.

Some observations of water level in wells and water samples were collected during field work. The analyses of water samples help to correlate the water quality with the plant growth and soil conditions.

Somewhat between detailed and semidetailed soil and land use classification maps were prepared. These maps represent the production farms 1, 2 and 3 as well as the nursery farm and the experiment station farm at Rumais. Also similar maps of the production farm and the dairy farm as well as the two new project areas at both Sohar andSaham were prepared.

In Sharqiya region, our task was most difficult. Only a general reconnaissance soil and water resources map was available (Renardet,1975).

With hard field work in cooperation with Mr. David Readthe FAO water expert and his associate Mr. B. Blasco from the water resourcesdepartment, we were able to review the earlier works by the above French Consultant Agencyand to identify their previous pointed out areas of good water potentialities. Mr. B. Blasco records of the existing wells in these areas guided us to the most suitable areasof good water possibilities. Accordingly the areas south of Al Wafi i.e. Bani Ali and Bani Hassan were excluded, from our soil survey because of the highsalinity of the well water in these areas. Other areas such as No.7, 3, 9and 10 which were shown on the water resources maps their topography, stonyness, (Renardet,1975)were excluded from soil surveys because of or being subject to wind erosion or windblown sand hazards. -14 -

.1.1`2,; area t, -hL LL 6 be :Luca LLL i n 1), beds,. r.,....0 of.v1., .f13.1.1,11i rit..81_1al for :Ik.-ri

;Jr-.!j.; 1Ltci ctìl '.;1.4.112,E1:!_likkby for 212. u,'101,11's. o O1;o.1) ¡or, ;.; 'Lo wind blown oow.d lbooco lie.,,VR? :go ho(1;0 0101).:.:C.,

L 4 C1 i,u . k

, nic.,,.(,1.kc.,-,k.cikto., 1,a4. -3 '61asik.iuith be pi L 1r16...k.;_o .

kofi i-,; 1.4adi ioiLLO L1i].cL 1-, 1`..0".1-:-.:d.00.'6bl='1.61 CU. c1.0.i )k., EiOa 10 .,,11;),jC.and C. LbJ on e..;:.;Ir.1 I uf'Lhorli ldrk....1.1rd oon.1,1 oonoeiJo sc,:!

r 0 LAI 11.1

'.. dei,,D.11,,d. soil. 'the iew pro j ei o be developed by the ukid.0is

Tr)thr: :011.0 soil t.k,tik,;-01. wL aat1Lh cat, 1... .;; uf the FAO 1r; .J0 L Jai: ail area could Lo;o1,,, ent farm in thi; :0

' D -.J.. of1., ..1t..K1an area in c ity in1,111on ;;L;MS020E:

k oilkJ LIu faJ..ajc. Lev

1 van e I. ;k1o.,kk.;(.riecl. ZE0.211.'1..j 42' 07.1)3k.L, ir 1-1()rfl kJ( mea.sur:men.L u ofIra, jr Iajzi a .1-id prul.rmin,cryk-J-Lao.,yr "uliaq; LE- cl s ta Lion J ,i1».111I; la,j u.k3ed. -L1)e Co,/ ft.ir a 9] n u_!ly

1 ecl soil in .1 area on CLnia1),.'iori ties are ohirii on m,k,1,14. -io the c:...Lendj outer rebources develop-- m en t in the fu.ture

4. 2 )i s

Joi 1:3 in important to ok).k.k.i,.A1 Is (26,- 1SJAil Ole , thnt,L Lir ni tu L cci boq;h inoLically and hori,,onk-k

tEn.1,2; iii Lu Lo fito -oafot:,..itage ineac h samplf, ;,hi

f 12.;Lut 0unna,coud ii,00 t2.01, es ty .J1 00LilO )ilt o;..1 y k.' '6,-11a/ilea 301 ^At 4-1()ILie .p.oiftplw piito::'6 lioeLl i ,r Lita."0.1,210tELrE."-i.' ted acoui-Clinz Lo bo.to Lit ';;11. 15

4.2.2Carbona-te Conten

The soils of Oman are generally calcareous. The diagnosis of the calcio horizon is very important for both soil classificationand land use interpretation.

The calcium carbonate equivalent percentagewas calculated from the results of back titration method of sample portion.

4.2.3Organicaatter Content

The organic matter content is a useful parameterfor soil classification as well as for plant nutritional potentiality and fertility management.

The organic carbon content of the sample portionwas chemically oxidized. The organic matter content was calculated using proper factor.

4.2-4Available hos ho s Content

The concentration (ppm) of phosphorus in a bicarbonate extract (Olsen method) is used to indicate the availability level of phosphorus in soil samples. The following parameters (Chapman,1965)are used to estimate the response to phosphate fertilizers:

Av. P(ppm) Degree of response t phosphorus fertilizers

5 expected response 6-lo probable response 11 unlikely response

4.2.5Salini'' ses

Soluble salt content in both soils and water is a critical parameter that should be periodically determined to avoid salinity hazards. This analysis is more import.. t in.hot and dry regions where salt accumulation is usually expected. It is more crucial under irrigation practice specially when well or ground waters are used for irrigation.The ionic assemblage is as important as the total concentratio4 specially to avoid a specific ion hazards.

The electrical conductivity of the saturated paste extract (ECe) is used as the salinity index of soils. Because of practical benefits several laboratories, however, determine the electrical conductivity (EC) of1:5soil/water extract. A correlation has to be done in every laboratory betweei and E09 local values.

In this report only ;:h values are reported. The works of the previous consultants showed the follow__, correlations between ECe and E05 values for the soils of Oman: 16

"06 t.ashy

4.2.

011L1 Lt1 o "i; 11, etL1'..1.L;v1r.11ï,C 6'17'0 Eli, 11, iin be i :A.1'411,1 levc !i2:42 Coil ; E.', Lair.l.s.iucc'L, .1. OA ,IE:1; 01' Ol L1J io 5c31a1 l uc wh,til 1611 0.41U C12,16.U1le:L:1 -L,03151L rAancs such

lt elba r,;/ig.r .r!AC :.)1)1.' .F

Boron level tD hr-rt ,,tol 2Jhould 1:JJ (JL,!Lt 0.6pm for sandy and clayey ,_;o11, prej o 1965 Ïv irrigation waters should not be more than one ppm (Richards9 1954) for Donoitilie 4.2.7 Cation 17: arar ; used to determine the catio capacity. 4.3 ',the tvc,L t would be ml, preciated if the reader will bear in Dilixt foilonts the first day of a five months

oppLqui6,1 t,,J,L 01 fluid , KI and very urgerrb data Lave e:, rc:uoieci possible.

help q, ,d. bysotr.ut boul, thci1.F3 and FI: 'C;Jal :J.-.

. Û1.' recent ; - )/ 17

Th.ree main soil and water resources reports are available and could be used as a guide.

The consultant is ezpected to prepace detailed soil and land use maps of scattered areas in the previovely surveyed -egions.

A soil laboratory with a limited capacity and very limited facilities and equipmenta is available and can help in soil and water basic analyses.

Although available, not a single one of the official project cars can run steady for more than one week in field igovk.

Counterparts, associates or even technical assistants were not available.

Theec is no ec1nico.1 îleld staff to.a can carv-jj out any field survey specially during the moot ho ond lwsidd vegions and months, respectively.

The FAO soil consultont h to dig t 1 of the auger bores, therefore, several road cuts and ha dug wellt to complete this field work,

_ Many of the aboN ca. seemnormal and would be expected, however the magnit - et occurrances were unexpected. 18

r:

The Si`k.(7.'!":2 ,1"» C.)11. (di":;ip Paris . is applt'C,7;:k'21'30iur, Land on-. used -in this ...e.pevt. The pyspoma lo IT VACi oi1Dulletin vad a modified DIX° :41-..tcla,

YounJeops,a44cAjo:;tmsùto i:;ore Le :aek vmbolu wore oennottive to the pvoper4 tho oub.j19J(ta only used to indicate the conditioned ,.;)axJ (0)-!&6 il%lcic't ii.L).0.1 1.,Jooa,.i The noL DuitO)le ()less acgi-ven pyoper sy,,tbol iJiaLl(0) 11,1.00 ):r)ox-t

by

i able;

*i) (N) for not suitab

Three suitability c7.¡-. e designatedbythe yh numbers:

(S ) for -.?j7hly suitale;

(S ) f

iii) (53) forh

.1,y11.2,tud by uoift3: nmall letter and a number ohich io deforee o mnevity,

The suffix lette:.-,_; Ave to the soil property follo

i) t for the plough layer; for

t3 for

for soil profi o gravel, cemented layer or rock for a depth of lef,:L; than90 cm; . for a depth of less than 60cm; for a depth. of less than 30 cm;

iii

of less than 50 cm;

r2 - to 100 cm; r3for variolA, of more than 100 cm; 19

1 s'.,J 110. t 1 7 sp, Jo es,

s2 rnor. 1 saline 53 for ve 17) d for -

d1

for d3 e forerosi e1for slight prob e for moderate prbility for high probability e3

Legend ;for caa icKA nuJA;a7o2A1,

Unit ,//i' C n / loE, CLamz

Soli T:Dand sni îJc,1)il5 - 2pci,s"1 ^ or'dec -/ \ cc.1 S o 1,77,s

subclasses Çi so`of1).(: 5.1 5.11

9!lie ).J4a,:a,;41 o -1:;',`"t2 nob `.1".laa o.,-thJal 6raai5 21.12Uìeni Le 1oce,-.6ed fLJ1161 orz SfLY..,11 ;;c) e ,30,(013)

10,aLoa '6; -'1.,11:., (.1 7.17 0 CA (rice map 17`,--a444j3o ` ney Li:4; .Et,7001.1111311'6 `,7,D .1iz,,f; in a t3" e1onc3 :,c o A, '!"; 1,11O sii,:ton.

.bel,ilelaA the zrz2(1,, -fe.h, a U.ici 14 I 4,C5 r"ju o e_ aCCPS/1' ijA::i; 7: oil f107.)13.1 -CI CD:A:A r ni,n,,or b) -ra Pit

The cid. ; 1 s ,)37 ou 1_ lo Lvre very -.",!oe,! JI-oylacr? ,.-J:Ira I '11. I; ,J de--ve1opr41,dhi, - 11'hecoUch,, J ti o Lc'ni:ei ,,::°;..11 v,.; y moo:: rr(,-43o-s are au I :171..,'i'L',C;04":%

olter ;.,1.7 +1..c coed ium typc1[r.".;_ci3 el

There -71. (- 3,s; c,-,',:ate I J, a_ ici , overlying ot..rat At: 1_ ,-.11.Q.' ..oaveiri; caod fit one -Lyre el..(l o0113 I or, )11.31 jr-11.¿; '61100,11 7C-I20

This 1;yoe ',ar° pos p-roec-ses or, the '6 o.,') ,-,1c1 - ¡JIG d cle un and (7,LeillFol iui,io,

These are of o 11s. eYtilea io,,atu a,.1...11,.., ho ikilazk) `;;,17,uti L'''...f...';11:3dcitti;, T11 f,,:,4!)1 e -1 /1-741.10a L.!.? o ims'y tho ('Ch-PC r'510 ,a\.; t:*.i.)oLhtoil i c3ioj,i,cij a di ;;;,,, I 'di' a:31 caaor.a,r- :,es f.11 1-1,(..,.; J 7.....1.1VaL ULIA? ().ti.7)

)1 :; ° 1 ,

, , The so i o1-e.., ;77 7 d (7. r, 11 (72 , has a levo ph...) cc:7p; c tcï.; ;;ODO 1:..to 41. ».; ,..,voicled or e c; PO' 7,72

The r cc.;dr 14.2", nito 11'1,(...." ".7,712, OT:t SOO- 76776 ere ileac .kz. jec...;; C:7,1d -aproe "6..c.d(floecv;.e.) o 7t2 1;11,22 I '"C7I o mccr.h.'.s.;*.e c,1och:_cooF icth r ype oi .'o ccti t .o cr-L ro hyoc1 hot o LI-tr. *t; o 7 clet;;e..c.vtols :;he

9-510 J.3%) ocio 1-) 1261C.:71 J77 74,,,," 74110 3,22 002! lo J.::oC c;ood. couee...,-,1 uiico L.:2,c. ;;`...c.-Fjrrr lic I2. "1.c cl 3oi. I

oz. me,d_i. 1 o o ir: 'he CL1pc( he C ;ITV; Only. The :co S'a J. ; .2. 1_ c. (.1 b c. o13.15.. ve drat aa..e capaoj .113,of the 7-3-0.1)ricU

r:Tho val loiphospacoa :.i ns..;Fathsc.-...i. seeI-, able s Nui; r Go:act', '6? coo 110 t 011- (1--I; .!'s: :.,h 2' .27,';'OITh,-;,2- '70 0 Z,2, ;loo orcsaitic mai; e,IILgh°L..7.-"hono,:r6.2 ,DOD e:.°11...:.....kcfe,c.c..pao (5 me,ill( )0 (Ja). Those c3o3.,s rco: inecb out out-..)!o ovt..c1 c roo C.; 7.%Epac'6 5.ire . 1)c- ''Lrn. c.-cc)of iThor c_;:coIr"c. 1 cl ind of shallow ruco;e.oire s 7.1] Li ehccic,.. C,hc, no v,q.13.eii

1) ) General

rehs e:cal. Cf-,1.1y.1.,!1c, o-c-`611c1F. vt part of ra:cm Tho ,7" (),., (rr°) 7"1.1 ;:,:)Y1eZ1,DA of less gravel content at ts.1.1_:,-.Ca,-!c, !la

v.T.`ho oommoli pre,o o c. on o :Cr,;;vat of most types of vege 't able erops load %ho chi of o.) oeo'to o r ridges .

The eot:61Kc',-.1, rcr, of .Lhis ,4m21.1farm is7: cur: 1r-

Z.,3rDe col i fr! C1.-1 2.022`17.0.t1O 7(VI.')C II;1.7t,L'121.1.22:, 17 (coof..)--arate-.ti: ts.acm "A r:Y, Doi lc; wi 1-A.1.51-3o1 1

Dvi.o 07:6 c;o171cì clevoippe6 if isco-,ied pdatc6cal. Follrjo rihco 1D 1*ep1,Y,"1iil CD 7.mp-oove so Cl cou.dil; , c;;; ;_t; c, regularly practiced. 22

Soil and Land Classification

The farm is located in the fanwadi oomples. fosmetion.The soils ave classified as being calcaric regosolsOROor Caloaric Plusieols (jc) of coarse texture and of level topography. Someti s it is difficult to distinguish between Regosols and Fluvisols in two different map units because of the small size of the farm and the complex system of the wadi fan formation. In such cese the two types are mapped as an association.

The soils arecoarse, Seedlow to medium ahallow, and some part of this farm has saline conditions. irriation classification, these soils would be in the marginally suitable class S appropriate subclass to its properties asit is indicated on the classificatiee his farm. Analyses and description of profile8will provide an example.

Farm No. 2

a) General

This is the Animal Production Research Farm. :Forage production is the main plarrt production for feed purpose. The farm is located deep in the Wadifan complex. Two small wadi courses border it from the east and west. The area is relatively flat but also very gravelly. The soils are of very coarse texture and structureless.Organic matter content is very low even in the manured field oee profile 1).

The plant growth for both Alfalfa and Sorghum plants is very poor. Zinc and nitrogen deficienoy symptoms are clear on Sorghum.There are no developed nodules on the alfalfa roots indicatino. the need for Rhi.zob3um innccule.

Five wells are supplying irrigation water for this ,orm.Only one wellADG 10 has good water quality that has an EC of 800 u mhos/cm st 25°C.Another wellADG 18 has an EC value of 4700 u mohs/cm. An irrigation eNpw.ct sleuld be consulted.

b) Soils d L d Ube Classification

Since the soils are very shallow on the top of gravel or cemented old terrace surface they are classified in the Regosols (Pit 1).Beiu of calcareous parent material and containing more than50carbonates they become Calcaric Regosols (Re).

The irrigation development of this farm will be one of the most difficult cases to be handled. Very careful etudieo have to precede any irrigation developments. Evapotranspiration, infiltration of water and permeability of subsurface soil, and water quality studies are very essential to assiet the design of a suitable system.Sprinkler type irrigation is the only foclua system that is suitable for for.set crops. The soils are very marginally suitable fes eeeh crops.

Very coarse texture arq y uhallow soil profile with excessive internal drainage make these soils almost not sui'teeble but we classified them as S1 with three conditional subclasses. This type of clauelfication will be criticized.Orilythis will be appreciated when the reader will ee how the soils in this area are very limited but have to be developed.

During our co -AALncy mission surveyed the area to the west of the existing farm because it e eggested as an e:stoneion. The survey showed that only an associa- tion of Lithosol: of oocr properties is found in this area. The only possible extension viae found, to be on lard, oimilae to the asieting farm, to the north. The soil may be of deeper profile becaueo it beloAss to the transotion to the accumulation plain (similar to farm 1). -23-

a)

This sc,111.3 Jre0;ocarst!Co ; vay.y. cotnIme, iorCh 't0 EINTe 361 r, (1P I ?, ?11. r:ho 'lxo'5 od Of irDigat :LOD, : , ("Jri. 11boTei'yeipul

b) Sol' Land Use

The sou'6!. cra 0, ilogosols and Fluvisols ci 1;GCho no..-t3i become of more deeper profil C3to D,I, "luilolo(J6.) al °o .:e.00rt?d.

For d:.lopment the soils of this farm will be marginally suitable (53) similar to 1 F2,fla2).

This is called the Yegota1)1,2 OKO,y-JQ,41a;1,11 cue t-hrod of the area is cultiatod, gouz. wi.ta avo o.i" high nal]nit:y., Electric-d coudac:LiviLy -ci,Jvcs 2000-,,ono a&0s/,:a 'Inlmair2 Soils Lab.)rofL he wt-,11f; r;, C 022

Salt efZeo'6 aas uo;; 2ound th,L, of Chi r cLose to wells, but far at the suri o? theu' luct.'JlAs (Lilt 13). This means that salt leachtag lo Lh,i c,; (ipl'oty water is available) but at the end (:), (100 sali are accumulating.

An iigctioli sys;:,;.m 47,71.1m -Lc) the cemented canal syrrtem of the e'Lpo-oC n,,j 1,1 mo:,'D suitable for vegetable opop

The soiSi. erc ovicmours, poo :%11 ovg-Aio matter oad low in available :,3=.Kr.). :-01:1, Ti14, uh,Fa:1.0-0rJoxl profilus make it ne000sary to lwpc-iv7.; oud in-iO3Oi

Alfalfa,7.;love7-' and 1L;D?o ci 6hcwld 1rJc-cl,ì -cc-cri f u.n-e purpose after being inneculated

Disc -.y.30;; f.1 z7:11 Edbsoils. Only din -harvoT, yr chalii-o,6.1G;J, W bPilislog gravel to the el10;:arX1,

b_

Col rYlt f,,,,,.:430;7,01 and calca?:,10

(LC 2,9"11*70. 0f, '01,, Ofile .lakWir30.1 r.f.q)k",, ; ti» ;'; , (,60 cm), 11116.,:t r (ocre ge?'0S2

/C, 101 ,fi 't j L,";!, t ¡h. ',6h)G These CjL:i J4L if ,:to3ordilig to ths depth o/ or 1;1)0 ,11,7 ,2 4:2-4,1T.1'13,' 13,1°C.11,C.1.';ij.iii-Ly along with

113-'`.03 1,,;.,3 C J. 27. L., j011

c irk; e.1-peritirent st at the iut , el; ..:Ae.e.ut act (icaTe z uz zt Lt'i' losses tiwough t he soi.1 fi:Asi,Ln.0 t Lo'üioJency increased -L he cultiva;,ed

b) nd L. Lion

401 C1.eo,-)nnaisuuce map for this 7farm0 c2;4i:o.j.on,.;LLi JLt t 0.e li.;20 0e:I ayprpa.ed as C.so j cai, i J he.v :31 e.if,31-Q 3.at e.nat ior2.ally accept ed systom applied.

The soil cu y c oCI. V111,2 i'411 u A7 as the Gi. bbo report . It is hoped, ;i1eic,at 247,r,it,7illi "Jillbe mo:L.e use Cul

Calcaric Fluvi Holo ock s vaviabl e en.ledopths and salinity , -r:c.,o i.3z.);,:).,:,)1 is ve-c' much effected by the soil11,0rAL, -2,cjs o...7 Lz,u raYm a..vo d w::-ginal for

(',) 1',10:,j1rTI-..!),

5.1.2 ds CrossSer

Thit crosz, ricz.cCG tYi!.z L vrez 1)1E, 11.(2.1, ;hc,tc,l onil lEuid use, class ificat ion of

Omani soc z 3-.LD.c-%D ;.1-1.t) C"ril-010:: 1.; 0 :5 1 Rumais F-a.cms survey, this croco a..t Lo C.:0111 1110 end ,r 11(5.-'1 xflol.T.3",11)Ci1,`1 malit. St et Lan F0-11110 (Seo aumajs fvpm.3 figure

T soils' a Long ca L'ep2.,-nfsent ct_culbill.a.ti.cn plain, the old sebkha- duneLizo o oc2f-.; L L "1-11: ha ¡, 2. 7!: fr»t-rI codoexiclt he coas al ridgecomplex.

Dor. N. 6 1,..or7. thea j,zott,joicicof the wadifan plain complel.) ,71coll.muJions L'011 1C 1.,11 'zul'Jrvaied0 Ii ic one of the best so-.1 ,,y-pa!:2unac.,:;. l;(0 (Y.1, 1-11:)( Z.' ibjo "byrece oz'.cellent The 211.:21,0 fr,;:. C ;7- t ices wh Leh suit thece ooi1 zTha D.41Drt.vr.-0.0.6-oi; 'W. i;;)/- .net hods will se.ve water ard ;11,191,0ve j o ;"^.».1 hefIce revenue will incre

c'. 1I1).2.Ft001-..ttype y, be d k"..; ,.001.03 Lo maditun °textures and of 1 o.-Q...,1 t cb) voorse ure mid,with hi h irt "Z ,',;( 4,13 1.ir"t .1'7.1-Ty 1'T.! Lb Iy fcald be cl,:;ec if ted es kS r I ,'") CV. d2 Bore 22 and Pit 22 may represent . 3oiltype found in the flood (accumulation plain. These soils are of).0.1ysvnd toe:;,are and of fairly deep profile. The water quantity is less available aad 02 loa quali "67 in thisOcee,. OnLy date gardens are successful under these conditienc.

This type of soilscould be cla2f.;laeC, a.7,;Calcavic Pluvisols (Jc-l-ab) but of limited (shallower) soil profiles than the ebove(sToup icnd use Classification this soilgroup will be of medium suitability deTelepme.at (b2 p1_2

Bore 23 and Pit 23 represent the accumule6,ion plain-dune complex. Pit 23 shows three different phases of developments. 011the top t0about 50 cm of wind blown material of loamy sand texture. This saline material is a noemal woduct of the deflationprocess of the flate very saline (coastal sebkhe of Bore 24 and Pit 2d) soilsadjacent to this area.

The underlying gravelly mcterial represent -- product of high flood period which covered the old sabkha underne.lth this gravelly

This soil type was previously classified as Regosols. This classification was based on ignoring the other two sequences underneath the wind blown material and also ignored its salt content.

Since the wind blown materials are sometimes of 1 meter thickness or more, and do not satisfy the salinity levels of solonchaks we prefer to classify them as Albic Arenosols (Ca). They are of different relief conditions (Cabo). These soils are not suitable for irrigation development (N) because of the texture and topography, being of small areas and being very close to the coast.

Bore 24 and Pit 24 reprecent theCOE,.l rometion. These flat low land areas are confined between the sand dune comple The coastal ridge. Textures of loamy or silty sands are common. Very high salinity with a salt c-,:us foymationduring the summer was found. Water table level is shallow Gleyed sub-soils are common.

These soils are classified as Gleyc Solonchaks (Zg). Theseare not suitable for agriculture development, therefore, they belong to the N order ofthe land use classification.

No bores or pits were sampled from the coastal ridge. It is formed of unconsolidated sandy material (beach sands) with high percentage of shells and shell fragments. These are also not suitable for agriculture development.

5.1.3 Remarks and Recommendations

The soils in Rumais vicinity are of coarse teture, shallow, highly calcareous, poor in available nutrients (both macro and micro), with gravelly and very permeablesubsurface. The soils are recently deposited with least profile development.

Water for irrige,tion is mainly ground water of medium to high salinity. Being in the . coastal region sea waLer intvusion is expeced wlth continuous pumping and increasing well intensity.

Being close to the capital are- Rumais vicinity is attractive for development. Agricultural productions such as -regeables seem very promising business. opea careful12,1/ Water

,13 **GO 1tupjìcji1.3 (Ili I i honnue I 3. (;(1,.!efJl a ;.,r-r

:-.)"¿;0(1 l!a\q-..: I) ," Ofi t. 1 30 be

10..» uitandtechnical training has to be 1.)2owld,O. looeH..1/ abyaaa.

3.1s. to It. io ec evapotranspiration rate aod bov.c o oolmmptil) use h0 di 3at o easons.

it is ..)ed to avoid .i c iring evening and night.

Poor yll,tyjel, mpor'6o0 for ,,oneially. This can only be economi.cally manament Gen mh.Du.ring should be given more attention. F,1:as,e )ocommonded, ertili.Ang for both nitrogen and pht,sphoaw; ()Q,Ing dv.2.1o9ad)haf3 o oolj.do2:ed A soil il obiology staff and laboratcw hasioò dsvelopodo H.,odu.G1n6 .1;:J much uheaper and saffer than to import Ihcm.

Urea should 77,utPte ammonium h,,h loss of ammonia during J-t(, periods undev 0 rnmo,lium uhosphate fertilizer may be mo suitable than

Micronutrients studies should -oped in the Experiment '.-Itatioy, »lant tissue analyses should st:rt at the sols laborary0 Nitrogen analyses C ..J1ouni Lhould be added to the soils laboy as soon as possible.

Pisoharrow ' *1. should subut, Idou,h,commonly Lsed in Rumais. This pract'Lce wil brigging etia i cornulImon *;( Emile/3e layer. Very light cultive,tors should be used for cultivating these o ..- i..)xture soils.

Soil '6e-ture and oil moiso:c.e c.ould be meozu..d i,hiouh a, ba'(,te:ry of thermometers and tensiome to be instLJJ.ed in a.rporimz,nt ?aims, ;73oiltomoera.;;ua.e haT'i to be recorded to select Rhizobium -Hlat afueas:pl:ed ;.6 1:01iJ temool'otuxe, Thert.- is a claim that Rhj5obium innoculation can.)t survive the soil temperature specially during the summer season. I-crigation frequency should be desled to suit the moistnoe diX'feent soil dophts in Thia will he 1mo t'.afou3h Lhe tonniometer :ceadings.

Thi.0 production fa.,:m had been cultivated !Or long peoLod The conditions of mango and citrus trees in this farm are bad. Haplic XozoL)ul. Gt.,1Gacle Fluvisols could be better class for these st;5JA,i(7, undeoelow;d sons, ci.1ier(1 ar,,J similar to those of Sohar Dairy anit oC -,hjs sabjeut to salinization (Bol-es 27 /)C.. 28) po.:; Yox Jome

0"+: 1.1.1CiiOtacit i;h1r,. wel.,teY0ciaîycca Of the tLj..!7, a.qd pow' 1.,Ti.saijon. practices yuy 'ALM? 1.0W1eVeiß -27--

The soil Fale:Jyo,:w choweL [); L,1,s biL;fa as8,5are :ound. The soils are highly calcareous (20% oarbon ond rich (c,,:lativeLy) ii magnesirml. Ilso;he water analyses are rlch tu magnesium. Amv,ilium 17,ir.iflicefs are conmKm)y ased as a "J01137Ce of nitrogen.The lzr'gE,tion war sh4dOa asse-,sed carefully for this Yam because one of the well;,; well6sbovse e.0000Ucontent oi more Lhaa one part pc:- million.

Zinc deficiency was noticed on cu leL,vosF71(1nwoitut-i orchard was sprayed for amendment. This may iY(dicoJie the no,Jd-Cor 14o1a E-ro. and n=7,311.0Gfel'tilizers to develop nearbyareas in "alh. rogion. 0icconnrien'6o Pex.tli7;er mmagement should be considered.

The organic matter content as well as the phosphorus availability isvery low for a fertilized field.

Salt leaching is most important to improve this farm. Less pumpage hours should be practiced for wells 2 and4which are of high salinity and boron levels.

Well 1 Well 2 Well3 well 4 pH water 7.9 7.9 7,C EC mmhos/cm at28°C 1.10 2.07 Soluble salts meg 1 Ca 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 Mg 4.6 6.1 5.6 7.3 Na 6.0 13.7 4.8 18.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 HC 03 4.0 4.6 3.7 5.5 01 4.8 11.0 4.6 12.5 SO 1.9 4.2 2.2 'PPm 0.3 0.65 0.2 1.2

5.2.2 Sohe,

This fal'm is---c(;eni;ly put vodcr a ds!veloping progi.amme lick soils are of coarse texture and are classifiedLI Haplic TalAosol :roup (see map), It is preferable to classify these coils as Calcario Thc: soiIr-.; are s'GratilTied with least develop- ment. The area is subject to fresh deposition by floods. TtIscalcareous (15-201Q CaCO ), subject to salinizaUlon becawie of high evapora;don rato and poop irrigation practice (Profile40).The soilz, aresubjeL:1, to wind cJ:osiou whoa it is ploughed, levelled and left for long time without irrige,ti.on, TU2 soil:2 are ol roc,r poor structure and of very low organic matter content.

The nutritional conditions are poor. Thc- ,7.v2.i.labil1ty of phosphorus in a cultivated area is very low (seetables). The zinc61,cier7qc,y syriri oms weP,z; :doticed on new citrus plantation. - 28 -

Urgent need for better soil ,rpdWa;í0YmahEFomelit -,dvised. Intense fertility programme should be (=bi.ibtld TTiTh n opused modezil systems of irrigation (sprinkler and drip 'Lrr12]atjon '_-ryt:tte.ms plano-7,do 5.2.3

Two p ojec ed qith Mr. Jack Schnider the farm Manager of the Dairy Farm (11MG) at Sohar.

The consultant was provided with aeri-ll pho4)aph of 1974-1975 at the scale of 1:20000. Being this the only reference mat:,r).al, 1-,? main physical land features that were considered in the project area follows:

The main paved road Muscatr is taken as the north-eastern border for the project areas.

The gravel road to Heeb (north-south) 1:. taken as the eastern reference line, while a camp with its faciliti Jae western border to the Sohar site.

The Saham te is located between a gran: road to Alflaye village which is taken as the eastern reference line, while wadi Mahmum represents the western limit.

The pro ject si-tes were preTiously 1_,yed by ILACO and a semi detailed soil survey

of the general area was included in thei - port.

a) To o ap

The project area is vntly slop from the colloviaJ fans at the foothills of Ornan mountains to the Gulf Coadt., Undrle to level land 3urrre is the dominant feature. Several wadi courses cut through r..rally levelld lc plain causing very rough surfaces. Wind blown materal may be ic-omulated n r-:.dry desert shrubs forming mounds that may be consider7,TrobstaclE. f 7:,?ad -reclamation.

b,

The weathered p7oducts oi theL;e1.q,-rc,Illy basic oou of Oman mountains in the form of collovial (alluvial lana and flood plain represent th.e parent material of the highly calcareous soils of the Batj.noh i.agi.ni Tha parairL mai;:rial of northern Batinah is relatively rich in serpentine type rocks.

Y^V'';'CT

The composed o ced Acacia trees and several dry desert shruts. Few scattered of uecr short gi.-ss o eZr ,rowth could be traced. The most dense vegetation followathet,,ter cours, &re found in relatively deep soils where relatiely 'nigh watr holding caoaci"6s erisLa. in spite or: the very dry desert climate that prevailE, green phac1,o are -;-:oluAti everyoheir,., howaver, very low organic matter could be accumulate due Lo iba 'rey hot climate, c,pecially cl:y season.

The e-.11.-y water rancuwan Lhagot-Lodwat?r (well water). Several manual dug wells were loca on,?, kai('L!ollac.1 ,71-10.2 Lit fi2om the Muscat - Sohar main road. Ylla oat.::r level in i.he isci ad anugnl ).3Lileen9and12meters from the land surface. Qn,Intitative osseaspieQtu4:the water resources has to be developed to decide how largo areos could be irrLGaLed. -29 -

Soil Common in the Pro'ect Area

The flood plain lands are the best soils for agricultural potential.These are soils of medium to fine textures.The soil profile is fairly deep to very deep. The fan area as well as the wadi areas are generally shallow to very shallow soils. These are also charactertzed by rough topography and may be also stony or gravelly.

- The soils of the fan or wadi courses were excluded from this field survey.The soils of the flood plain were studied in detail to select the most potential soils for irrigation development.

- The soils are generally calcareous of medium texture, weak structure, very low organic matter contents, and of well drainage conditions. The soil sample analyses showed the presence of low to medium salt content in some profiles. This is specially true for the deep soils that were previously under cultivation.

Sohar NewPro'ect Area

The soils in this new area is of coarse to medium stratified type soils.Fluvisols are the most common soils with good irrigation potentiality. Calcaric Fluvisols (Jo) is the reported class because in qpie of the observation of some carbonate accumulation in some profiles, a calcio horizon was not proved from the chemical analyses.

The presence of small or micro-mounds around shrubs may seem an obstacle but this was ignored since shrub clearance and land reclamation is necessary to develop this land.

The most important properties that were taken into consideration are:

the salinity in subsoil which may become effective if poorsoil management occurs;

the depth of the soil profile to the gravel layer defines the effective root zone and brings to attention the excessive drainage of the subsoil;

the soils are generally of loamy sand or sandy loam textures with very poor structure and organic matters content. This requires the need for frequent irrigation, fertilization and manuring.

Other shallow to medium deep soils which were classified as Fluvisols of the calcareous types are also found. These are mainly confined to wadi courses or close to them. These are also subject to flood hazards.

The project area is surrounded with Regosol-Fluvisol association.These are wadi-fan complex formation with very shallow, very gravelly and rough topography. These are also subject to sheet floods which made their surfaces gravelly and sometimes stony.

It is not recommended to develop any land from other classes than the relatively deep Fluvisols.

SahamNewTroject Area

The soils in this project area are of medium texture. The area which seemed to have been under irrigation but were abandoned in the last 100 years wereof saline sub- soils and were classified as Xerosols. Other very similar type of soils were classified as Haplic Yermosols. , d, ma,y development of thii

t he T.)! 1,1. :J.-7 cm t o t1t la.rge or medium sizes of 'r _ 10

so» ofJe.,)(1..J.,, 7 root zone size

arid -.G.' 110)

1h U1J OJ- J. t o ion as could be seen from the previous

5.2.o Sall

fIje-3í7is orCob', 'Sawiofj -L on medium and we ak struclay.'e o,r: ;11 Llo.:11.1ble r

Ot:C- :±..; ;3'1 2 :1+ in wadi areas

and Ji 7' '?.,I.1%.1).11.^:' 116.', OLYJ

`therefore irte f -jJchid b -

) 1 a ad J (n,).1.1.118 1 L.2 , ,L o. J.., .1.,tail-141w, J18.11'k,iriachinavy chon..1.d. VI) I., :t.;.; .001i!c._,:iC1e0, o pr000'conLu,, soil surface

inJEnc.i c? I-01 17j,,* 1;ç'il i'ra'L2o3Land t o preserve he coil iu

irrigat ion shouldbe , for t he of salt leaching;

Tilt: reo d IN-, j h (.'1.1J'a,1 fa or clover types)

rt.'" C C ou.:'cLY pl.o.o.glic 1uidtl us lug a disc- harrow .

, ,:11.A.hotua-e,slid the fort ility po-,JF:;11'1;

lJnoorlE,,J;:I cr.). ,guk, h o .11,\Jzos 2.cad The 01)0011100 7,01J1iragdp, build up a strain adapted Lo conci.j. L C,1,1.1W C91.0:11173h oarbollal; e content

LiocuitL'jOD CO' 133('.c.; s uncir,-1 .7,!:lcu Id bc. chioannually at the beginning

Lbs ,J 11) spres.d in a j- 0,71 o

Tluz b Loi J' 1-1-.1...:,,2,JL,?-11 de ficiency of legume ,JJ:.orin aod :_0'c,J1::1-1a1JL;) soj.lo for other crops.

This ':)ratsJ 1J..1.-.J ofchemical r fert ilizers which were

proved -t o bc,-, " ,

) The oly J, :J. .J ,J).1-6 due, 'Lo high .j; ompcf at ure r3 01. L'50.1.1 ti;11 IIEtit; The.r j701' e ,lia C.,e.at, C 0. I 00 phosphabe should f3111,03 t e ,,.romol ?Anil13 1' z tab of ohospil °rue 'obitJjo o jP,J, r..ftrf J-; ';;;L:B0.1,111011 reS3 011

. of ci'LJ ,3 0.11, c.:01ilit000 of 1030±1)tJunc, ni" .3 00 1-0'tu ib spr,,c-: 1 ally fol.;:,:ee ond 31

Zinc deficieni - and corn plants in the Batinah region.

It12 30i6V1.0'2) av&,316.13J,s o2 :TAX".:r,copper aqd mangnese ivisoi)s of high pH and speoially thoaloeoul coav',le :5:',2e 9i15 Thefuoe2itin:oonsidered uhab the availabtli.*- tho othcx. thyeoele1113, ts (re D911, endGO is also 10179but their usJybaculac deficienoy wotoms;To 11.o o'i.ozrolyobsoi'o!'abl-) becauseGlicyofLea appear only atthe end of the goowth oy,?J.,e thvzy aoy beADO SiMilL!Vto symptoms of other defects.

It is always a good paotios to spray sulphate solutions or preferably chelated formo of these elements to improve yields.

vii) Irrigation water quality should be watched carefully. Water analyses for both total salt content and different ion species should be regularly performed and reports prepared showing any variations.

Special attention should be given to the content of chloride and boron ions in the water samples. Leaf burn has been noticed on many crops in the Batinah region. This symptom could be a physiological one due to high temperature specially at Zenith. Also it may be due to an excess of both or one of B and/or Cl ions. This could only be verified from leaf tissue analysis which are not presently available.

The boron content of irrigation water of one particular well (in the oldest mango garden) at Sohar production fari found to be about one ppm. This level is considered critical for plants sensitive to this element.

Also it was noticed that magnesium ion content in well wateo-of this farm is six to nine times the calcium ion content. This phenomenon should ' . ;_'1111y studied as it indicates the intrusion of magnesium source possibly sea water, water ion balance should be studied to verify this problem.

High magnesium in this area may be due to the presence of serpentine type minerals and rocks in parent material. 5.3 5.3.

(.c.:1,3,1)d. by -I; 1c, ¡-,11(s.sp; s'sLu L 975 ) i.ccl s essilrlhi JyL 1 .:; of LbShcîi Ogl 3. ,uf ,,,i,2.017 en r--) -6,ift.2 i0011(;Icl. 0 I

fL, ts1

..''oai 7 ,8 a,; C;;' to potent ial for

; . The: a'.; 'I? El ^3 d dune s or r

t o furt her wind ,t or ia-.1

'r-L;a'nlvt.t11.7..ous1:cia y 7 ) for,ef;ouiiaLL with et leas-i, 50cm of oto .13.1J v a, No L6 (11ff -.11 cult .

soils of am:u. Ao, 7 :J. Lb d.;:oL) ma 1., *LEO., but has. good 101, e.1d laad fo:011-ts;.;.1-1., 1 cl_Gr.;,..°.;:.-i; chrubzQTho .02o L-1,-; wt:121,e:;;'cis. fc7s. Qr. amount o-r o o 11 L); 17',13 7 .:J.)ci icicii/crn) but1, he o-v el -3 at 3 y bolo-u

P roa No10 has very - and i toir aL y aae not va400moton

7.7o.2 in A laz vicinit3r w lly

o 11.UVI.1.1ci o a flz.vi; iooai; hat 1 oolcs co.1 ;-.,1.of;;3 wiz+ u road was akomined &Aid i, or Wa*".3 his asuociato did ;, f LTC; t- ,1.:1-3

5,3out b ))aa.iL, ..."!*r.2.oadf, co LLJ)® ijO found.Sevoval 11s of t11L13.3.ou 0--16 ri.) anr (,r21(Jr.J.T80a...1.100 1osat..i/1 ,-;c) ;J o--r-y hand clu.,s f'or bedoT.1 in dourest, io ur..o.; Thooe tf011L0.) Oh L;) 1 r,o 3. 1, T.6 "Lid 001.1.1d b &no:toped for 7;-.P...2:1 gat io:o. 1,-;vI,91,7"fc. ; n tocan you] di lie rJmo,11.licz uoo of th;., t oul.-fso lcavio2 oii J1id 3;3 'u 1'; :1; o: cf i;Doce :3hallow aaid. co-c: 0 LI. 1.-rut ,subjoct to floods. Gt cryoCW.I. ;A) mot ,cfL, .10 !.; tk ,.2.1)..1.o Theciubcoaia of 9.1,3V0 ,..2krt.^.17):-.1. s '113. o-r; 2)0,9o.Lbl5 Indi oat

`s? . ;:.13 al 2 011

r.,;(2 ocr 1.)osiii1-.)1e foci r,Ino.11 feriar.L 1; ;cic:Lì'.ci d bu voc.!-Liir')d if wai,e,r

.1..; rojoilal agPiov2tuvo offios di DOT SS1,- I; croons 'Ghat wove UU:DS6':,t CU. 1 ),3,tho AA A] Wafi a new .F:selp with ite new well ead pnuotOjOInspeoted. The soils have a sandy texture with gravelly sabourfacer is subje,et to uind blown sand and sliE,ht erosion but soil wate.e. monaoeme4aCt'Dprevent these hazerde. Tho water quality doesnot seem to be promising. The EC of well No601 o',050 v. mhos/cm. Further to the south and south eaot and weot of Al Hafi wells 602nc".. 603 gave similar saTt content. These flndings wore in agreement with earlier findie)gs (Ianardet 1915) r. The field team decided that the arca down stream near Bilad Bane Bu lascan and Ba (1.11. should no t ha ieepected at present.Water quality is expected tn ba of lower elees downst-seam.

Attortion was given to tho relativelN flat crea between Al Kamil and Al Gadeed. Sandy soils are common with medjsem vegetation intens"Lty of Acacia and other dry desert trees and shrubs. Water saliniteeeemeasured in a farm well at Sooque Al Imam which is very close to Al Kamil. The vegetables and alfalfa growing plants showed very good conditions.An EC value of 1200 u mhos/cm was found.It was decided to further study the soil and water resources of this area.

North of the main Muscat, -eeed ar r7cf lazge size and good soil profile properties was located. Several elc!ell farms ee,pplied by ground irrigation water were found and inspected. Water EC vales in the eange of 300 u mhos/cm were found. It was decided to concentrate ou.e field work in this area expecting it to be most promising from both the water and soil eaeolseces points of view.

503.2 Ad DarizAl Izzvdoinit

The suggested two small areas to be developed if suitable water is found,are at the south west of Al Izz. The wells close to the wadi in this area have low salt contents wells 610, 611 gave EC values of 660 and 500 u mohs/cm, respectively.Well capacity has still to be tezted.

The complex wadi system of this area accounts for its rough topography.The low lands are subject to floods and sometimes form saline flates with shallow and gravelly soils. Relatively higher lands (islandlike or tur]e bacheshaped forms) could be developed for small private farms to which governmant may provide wells for irrigation water.Other sandy soils of this region are excluded from irrigated 'culture.

Soil and Land U. e Clasei,eati]

The soils (to be developej) are calcareous with dominant loamy (medium) textures. Secondary carbonato accumulation in the subsoil wz..* noticed in field, however, calcie horizons were not well proofed om the carbonate analysesCPU50).

Soil profile depths b ed 80 cm wee'o accepted for irrigation develop- ment, but shallower than thisclE 3t recomdandodfoe-development.

Moderatel :.li: ubsoils weee found Boro 71).Many other areas (nearby) showed salt crust avj ee3eel(e)?hitie plants ware e::cluded foe ireigation development.

Tbe soils could be clascified ao Calcarie Fluvisols (Jo 2 ab) of medium textuFe and variable topography from la-vol to unchaating. They aeo stratified calcareous material a wadi complea- formation.

IF caleic horizon will be peoofed during tbe details survey prior to development plan, these reoils oould be ciaosified as CalcioYorm000le 2ab). 34

For ierigation develepman:;; soil selieityy pl.ofilo depths oe well as land levelling are oritical propertiee These soils will be oonsidered marginally imitable (53 p1 rs2). 5.3.3 South Al ect

This proj ooaLh of Al Kamil .11CTSooqAlIM2Afarms aud could be eateeed to thewE 't t of tho road to Al Wafi np toAl Gadeed. The soil profiLe is geneeally covered withandy blow material for depths 1-, 10-80cm, followed by grevel layere of 1.112-;:orentdepths which lie on a e-ovy old . 3urface of limestone- liks; matorial Pits 51 and52).

The eaudyaoeumalationgets thee. Al Wafi and also water quality gets poorer downstream towezeds Bilad Beni Yeeee, Bani Ali.

'.,argee area of thie.;;S:),C of soil formation is found in this slte. Howeveryit is only recommandod to develop only suitable small farmers according to ground water availability.The 2alaj systemo oC the aTea are beeely sufficient foe domesic use.

This area is eabjeut to ',Ind blown hazards and of cese to very coarse texture material, therefore oeuld be easily eroded.Submils may suffer soma salinity conditions but itienot expected to be hazardous,

Use ion

_lis soil could classified as A Arenosols with undu o level soil

surface (Qa 1 ab). For agriculture eee tase soils are very , with excessive internal drainage, with medium soil profile depth and subject to (53 t1 p1 e2 5.3.4North Al Kamil new Pro'ect

This site is located parallel. to Muscate Sur roaii north of AlKazan. It is extended for about5kms along the road with a width of i to 2 kms to the wadi.

Several hand dug wells for drinking water were found. Some small farms were recently developed on well water of relatively low salt contents. Some farmers, however, complained from quick draw down noon startiez pumping their wells. This may indicate low transmis- sibility of the reoent shalloweediments(aquifers), Deeper wells should be investigated in the near future to decide :l: valabilety for rurther irrigation developments.

The area is subject to both flood and wind blown sands hazards.Flood hazard could be avoided through englueeeing designes to adjust wadi course and it's water flow away feom the project Wind broaks as well as sand dune sabilizat ion practices will yeduce the uind ha.eards.

Sand dunes as well as rough wadi land forms should be excluded from the future development plan.Flat areas of25to50or 100 ha could be suitable sizes for irrigated farms in this area.

All the good 1FeJe are a part of the flood plainor Bani Khalid which is only locally affected by vH:A. blown sand or being reworked by eider floods.

The soils ave hihi caleseoasy steatified, of mediae textures to fine texture in son e The topogeaphf of the laud is verying from one place to the other. Some sub- soil LigIrt3y oalinizede As it was mentioned before the area is subject to erosion and wi d blown'ao,z,71A. 35

These soils could be 3d an Fluvisola

: h r.ry suitaJA with diLe nid )1A7:L.P.63.0113 and sali- nity ha5c,odne

5,3.5

To ""6.4.6 vOtv jest areas in thi- the following should be noted:

Wal;ex shol,Jd pvoJ,ad lith further studies on the exedlab-]ity oC w&;;,1:,

::.1i.Cted that suitable vfstc:h' C.1!:.7'ceam ihoiiid fol3ow a land (ography) "coom, bC6o prepaY.e suitable

33 5' ;',31C1and Ina 11: ;

Since the se c,.".6 to .ntial to prepare eJlgiaz:orjn;?; ,Jonsovat;,n_ir1FJI,J important action is to adjus'6 the /rE,05

HA.ected areaa are subject to blown sand h: wind breaks should be ocr3y %117 3,,D,prior ',e) cultivation. These wind broahonot,1.16 Tronsts2,- shou:J1 be consul- ted to dec?dc -31,-Ata z-%)16 (1,71,r-i;lonr, and apcclnv (Y;.' inc wind breaks.

Generally, sand -! is highly i ra region.

la3id 'oigh rfppl:+?Iis ,L,hould bo oz.apticed on spadj soiisbo e,-en ,y}(!si.olc; uccu distribution. bripof sprinkler 3vrig::',;,!oaj.11

Swan prtveo)707-raholdo31-1; onv accruufl, bo nui able ip Sharquiya re- on. Avoid ,sovom:ntr.i drprr c u6h ca pc,ccibie, 0,11y grioulWre Sy.Lension Farms would fir3nog6.

Fertility manaLcmen should be highly cory! 3pecially on sandy and highly' calcaw)oo.ssol.12,0

Grecn vc»;-,i ;.qTcove soil conditio:a i uyduring the

reclaim Ir n . 1), 36

5.4 Interior R-4 5.4.1 Reus

An agricul, station is uoggeJta,f, to b.) d'iliLintedAeETNizwa.Early August of 'this ,yoe.' L- c.onsultant accompanied Mr. Mahfuz, Pa,c,c012,cofof Agjoolo,'o o eroposed The proposec7 lies in EJaziah vicinity at about 6Li.J_rom the Nizwa-Muscat main road on a well bad to

There is wide area ou400 ha) of abandonned farms which had been (canalized) under cultivation.Bon th:?. wjAtoJ2 rains as well as the water of falaj Khatum should have been utilized by these farms. A 65 1j-tors/second rate of flow of thiL, ..ralaj was measuvod.The water salinity was found relatively low (EC) of 630 u mhos/cm at 35°0, The right on this falaj belongsto the Government, however, it is diverted to join falaj Mesarag at present. There is little previous information on this site.The general area is very briefly mentioned in the Gibb report. Auger bores showed that there are fairly deep20tipror les wiLh mc,-dLum to fine teLltrwe matefials.The soil surCoce is comoaced and havd Ishich breaks to sofL sticky and plastic when mola, 1,)1.0,ed all over the sol] profile and secondary carbonate be concentrated in the sub- soil.The subsoils 05'0well droin,,,d with rlt, good soil structure in the subsoil..Some gravelly sfacur were noticed, The Mesarag falaj was inspected.Its flow rate was found 85 1/sec., but its EC value was 1330 u mhos/cm at 3200. -Some wells are used to irrigate small farms of good green vegetables and alfalfa plants. In general the soils seemed to be ve..ry ?uitable for all types of crops if proper waLer ancl soil managements are p0lid.,3d It looks that there are about 200-300 !"17.,:Thich could be potentially suitable for L,:igation in this area if enonghat available. 5.4.2 Manah Pro'ect Site The project site begins at about 6 kms from Nizwa Muscate road on a good gravel road to Manah. Several abandonned farms th:traie irigated ir-om the Khatum falaj about two genefaLioAs ago are 2oand The rights on this falaj belong to the government but 2t is diverted to j(Ail. i4esaag ,i'alaj which ts used by other farms near the sito area. The VN2t6P flow and suiab1.7. to i.vigai;e an area which could be assumed tO L h rei 1-iatjbn fa!'m a,00. -37-

The soils are :.'Jat voy 6aLue:ccouc, hasMWJLMtoini;ei7tu:Pes, The soil profiles are deep ad well devoloped,, A plsuad 0(.1li-i,c,"8.0 hoY'it.,on overlles a well developed Calcio hoplson of ble(..(1yto c7lsmatiG rt.J-w:tu,sos, 59aa horii;on. lo highly cemented-and hard.

The flatus- 1 tivtion iski . Acacia sp. and other desert shrubswith hP.lophten dominan in open lands. ..eat straw residues are common on pveviously cultivai;Ld.

The soils are Calcio Yermosols, Yk-2-a, (0"657)which develop to Calcic Xerosols Xk, under irrigation (pis58-59-60), arov;s reiv close to the jebel (pit 56) shallow soils with gravelly proÏriis sn 'oiund. Tlwoe soils ,a.d.'e e]Ecluded from development. This latter group is classifid 00coic qauoscilo(Re.(-1-ab

soils of the project highly suitable fo development (s1). The r: may be subject to sa7.t if irrigation prac irrigation water quality ecome low.

5.4.3Remarks and Recommen(

It was noticed tglat som; of hio a2aa fov e. rainfed wheat crops. This wheat may get late o Ji auF,J in ea...Ty wintc;z and suffe.os an early dry season.

This late germination so wall 1.1.0 Ceficit cate:,' dyeing' seed formation and maturity reduce the crop or may destro:y it, lai.tiaing come wellE07developing the Cala,] system (maintain it) may be able toflup9ly wo 1;:Tjgationc0 One tyrigation early (November) in Lbe season and anothev at tha ea,..1 of the wh:.at gro(.h stae.April-14a All get .reasonable production in this area.

The soils of the well developed vrith - .wlsjc horizon and of deep soil profile of msdium to finei:.:=(.i2o mate2.10Tnear,)a lo hot and thc water is limited, hence possible soil sannisatior_ iucyoscuy.

Soil, water and fertility its have to be very carefully studied and practiced.

Small faimis smiler io of small ori,rate holdins;EI could be developed nearby the suggested e:lape7imevit stati.on0 mutual benefits to tho station and these farms will be an ideal system. -38

779

Alexander Gibb ucl Pav'cner:3 .and. ILI.O0. (197,15). Water t-Ze.Jources Stwirey of Nohern

Chapman, H.D. (Ed.). (1965). Dia_gnostic Criteria for Plo.nt3 and. Soils.The Editor, 830 South University Drive, Riverside, CA92507,1JS410

FAO Soils Bulletin32.(1976). A framework for Land Evaluation, FAO, Rome.

?AO UNESCO. (1974). Soil Map of the World, Vol. I, Legend, UNESCOParis.

Hesse, P.R.(1976). Soil and Water Manage,mant,OMV73/010. Plaid document No.4,Directorate of Agriculture,M.Inisi,5,3rof A.griculi,troe, :Tisheries, Petroleum and Minerals, Sultana-te of Omen, RUNTOman.

I LACO, Int ernat ional Land Development Consult artt s. (1975). Water Resources Development Project, Northern Oman,

Renardet Sauti ICE Consulting Engineers. (1975). Water Resources Survey in northeast, Oman.

Richards9 L0I (1954). Diagnosis of Saline Alkali Soils, Hand Book60,

The/1.11Approximat ion. (96t) A new system of Soil Claosification.USDA. 39 -

bist of TO) os

Page

Soil Pit No. 8 Farm No 1 Rumais 40 Soil Pit No.i Fa1 No,2 Rumais 42 Soil Pit No. 10 Ni Farm Rumais 44 Soil Pit No. .19 lea:mi No. 3 Rumais 46 Soil Pit No. 21 Farm No. 3 Rumais 48 Soil Pit No. 25 Experiment Station Farm Rumais 50 Soil Pit No. 26 Experiment Station .r'arm Rumais 52 Soil Bore No. 6 Cross Section Rumais 55 Soil Pit No. 22 Cross Section Rumais 54 Soil Pit No. 23 Cross Section Rumais 57 Soil Pit No. 24 Cross Section Rumais 59 Soil Bore No, 27 Sohar Production J'arm 61 Soil Bore No, 28 Sohar Production itarm 62

Soil Pit No, 39 Sohar Dairy karm - 64 Soil Pit No, 40 Sohar Dairy li'arm 66 Soil Pit No, 41 Sohar Dairy'arm 68 Soil Pit No, 45 Sohar Dairy It'arm 70 Soil Pit No, 31 Sohar New Project 72 Soil Pit No, 35 Sohar New Project 74 Soil Pit No, 46 Soham New Project 76 Soil Pit No. 47 Soham New Project 78 Soil Bore No, 71 Ad Dariz New Project 80 Soil Pit No, 50 Ad Dariz New Project 81 Soil Pit No, 51 South Al Kamil Nw*oject 83 Soil Pit No, 53 North Al Kamil New:oject 85 Soil Pit No, 54 North Al Kamil New Jject 87 Soil Pit No, 55 North Al Kamil Dject 89 Soil Pit No, 57 Manah New Project 91 Soil Pit No, 58 Manah New Project 93 Soil Pit No, 59 Manah New Project 95 Soil Pit No, 60 Manah New Project 97 Location: e E G,2t` Ji!i7 ) T

C.) di OA)a 1-6 CI'it; 11 :t irle of the

irt.1) os ('JY1

0-25 cm 10 6/_:, 4/':, 7ti 0-1 y bpac,--iJnoe Very

L t:'n c,Tid Po,i.oso apd calcareous with

mz,d1-1im f." grlJincea36 of 777771_ to

25-35 cm Ditto but with

35-100 cm 10 77, * 1 H 4' dark colors are dominant which ave stalnod due t,o but does not fulfill being a cambic horizon yet. Olear boundary. inc' roots to 80 cm. Diffused carbonates.

100-120 cm 10M4/4 Vi .1d, stone powdery carbonate gives strong

offevvescenca, ThiEA:ay. ,-poeJerctt- le surface of an old terrace rather thanbeir1R. .7%rstlagedic 41

SOTL

Location: earm 1

SampJ depth cm 113]yie: 0-20 20-35 35-100

Clay 16 16 14 Silt % 7 11 5 .eine sand 48 42 1- Coarse sand % 29 31 64

Gravel % 25 28 63 CaCO3 equivalent% 37 37 40 Org.matter % 0.29 0.17 0.02 Available P ppm 23 9 3 CEC meq/100um 5.8 5.9 4.4 pH water 8.0 7.2 7.9 EC 1:5 ext.0 Mhos 1441 373 445 Soluble salte meu Ca 2.6 Mg 3.8 Na 5.2 0.9 ECO 7.67.6 Ol 3.8

SO4 Bppm -42

Pit 1

Location: Animal Production Research IYarm at R

South of the Goat shed just at the edge of the best sorghum in the farm which is irrigated from the electric power supplied well.

0-10 cm 10 YR6/3D,4/3M pale brown sandy loam of very weak crumby structure breaks to loose dusty material. Common affervescence indicating diffuse carbonate is noticed all over.

10-20 cm sandy loam.

20-70 cm Sti.atified sands with E' of black to white colors. Very loose material with diffused es.

70-80 cm Partially cemented grave dy loam with strong effervescence.

80 + cm 10 YR 7/2 to7/3light - to very pale brown highly cemented material of sands, gravells enddì 7tones. Very hard when dry but only hard when wai,. To'on,_4; eiTenrci;oenco, Location:Animal 4 Research .Warm 2 at Rumais.

' ftiplo ci ji cm Analyses 0LO 20-70 70-110

Clay % 14 14 Silt 7 5 6 Yin° sF:,1-id % 50 33 29 COOTSO cand % 29 47 50

Gravel % 12 30 10 CaCO3 equivalent% 44 50 73 Org.matts.y % 0.24 0.1 Availabls ? KTm 7 3 3 CEC mc47/100 Lem 5 4.5 3 pH water 7.1 7.8 8.0 EC 1:5 ext.11 Olios 202 118 118 Soluble salt,!. mecs/I

Ca 0.7 0.4 0.4 Ng 0.9 0.7 0.7 Pa 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.08 0.04 HCO, 1.0 1.0 1.0 CI 3 0.6 04 0.3 0.3

B ppm 4.4

Pit 10

Loczion: at

zato at about 50 meters east of the eastern well.

Le plowed after mellon, gravel and name stones at surface.

0.30 cm 10 YR 6/3,5/3B, 3and with some grel, very weak plE,tyfollowed by w wry sof, uon 3ticky and

non e)actic. Fe - roois, Vc.!2y pk:Jouri lAth ' effervescence.

30-40cm Ditto with mo:. Medit. Lee

40-60 cm Gravelly sand, spotted effe

60-75 cm Sandy loan with some gravel. duin efferverscence.

75-100 cm Gelly sand that is partially cemented. Powdery white carbonate cuAld be on on vavel surfaces with a very strong effervescence.Black aTe dominant.

100-I-cm Partially . 1..i:red sand stonelike material; coni. cemented and strong escence. SOIL PROFILE No. 10

Location: Nursery Farm at Rumais

Sample depth cm Analyses o-30 30-75 75-100 loo+

Clay % 14 13 14 Silt % 9 6 6 Vine sand % 54 33 32 Coarse sand % 23 49 48

Gravel % 5 19 34 45 CaCO3 equivalent% 60 48 50 49

Org. matter % 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.01 Available P ppm 4 3 3 3 CEC meg/100 gm 6 5 5 4 pH water 7.9 7.6 7.9 8.0 EC 1:5 ext.0 Mhos 146 534 623 391 Soluble salts meq/1

Ca Mg Na

HC Cl03 04

B ppm -46

Pit 19

Location: Production .b'arm 3 at umais,

See sketch map.

Weak vegetable growthOkra.

0-30 cm 10 YR 6/3, 4/3 M, lop.my E1.:nd, weak granular, sott, friable, porous, few roots, strong effi' .c3o.Dnce.

30-60 cm 10 YR 6/3 D, 4/3 4/4i loamy sand.

68-85 cm 10 YR 6/3 D, 4/4 M gravelly loamy sand with increasing gravel with depth, very strong effervescence.

85-120 cm Stony gravelly loamy sand. SOIL PROFILE No. 1

Location: Production Farm 3 at Ruiïaia,

Sample depth cm Analyses 0-30 30--60 60-90

Clay % 10 12 16 Silt % 7 14 14 Fine sand % 46 34 30 Coarse sand % 37 40 40

Gravel % 9 22 40 equivalent % 43 47 39 CaCO3 Org. matter % 0.2 0.1 0.05 Available P ppm 10 3 4 GEC meg/100 gm 5 6 7

pH water 7.8 8 7.9 EC 1:5 ext.0 Mhos 605 638 925 Soluble salts g/1

Ca 1.2 1.6 2.8 Mg 2.1 3.4 5.2 Na 2.6 1.3 1.5 0.3 0.3 0.5 HC03 1.0 0.8 0.8 Cl 3.4 1.4 1.4 04 1.8 4.8 8.0

B ppm -48--

Pit 2

Location: Production Varm3at Rumais

See sketch map. (10 meters west of the well).

Plowed for vegetable crop.

0-35 cm Plowed 10 YR6/3D, 4/3 M loamy sand to loamy, dusty, friable, non sticky and non plastic. Very strong effervescence.

35-55cm Gravelly loamy sand of granualr structure. Slightly hard, friable, non sticky and non plastic. Powe.ery white spots of carbonates with very strong effervescence. Common fire roots are found to80cm.

55-80cm Voy gravelly with some atones loamy sand. Single grains with strong spotted effervescence.

80-120 cmGravelly coarse loamy sand. sOIL X1IT To,, 21

Location: Production Farm 3 at Rumais.

Sample depth cm Analyses 0-35 35-55 55-80

Clay % 13 13 9 10 Silt % 13 10 6 9 Fine Sand % 37 40 19 22 Coarse sand % 37 37 66 56

Gravel % CaCO3 equivalent% 43 41 31 55 Org.matter % 0.3 0.08 0.01 0.01 Available P ppm 2 2 3 3 CEO meg/100 gm 6.1 6.1 4.2 4.2 pH water 8.7 7.8 7.9 8.0 EC 15 ext.0 Mhos 276 207 202 225 Soluble salts Location: Experiment Station at Rumaie.

About 15 north east the central well in the citrus orchard,

Good growth of Orange trees.

0-30 cm 10 IR 6/3DI4/3M nyloamy sand, yecy so6,very fiablo, fine roots and pores c ommon, Styorg Icea,)tion with H01 indicates diffused carbonates,

30-60 cm 10 YR5/4M loamy sand massive, friable, slightly sticky.Medium roots are common with fine roots. ?oi.orts th strons. effervescence.

60-100 cmDitto gravelly loamy sand.

100 Ditto stony gvavelly sand. Cemented with diffused carbonate givinr3- very hard sructure, 51

SOIL Pt0FILE No 25

Location: Experiment Station at Rumais.

Sample depth cm

0-25 25-60 60-100 100+

Clay % 10 12 12 10 Silt % 3 12 7 10 Fine sand % 39 46 25 30 Coarse sand % 48 30 56 50

Gravel % 16 3 27 37 equivalent 45 46 56 48 CaCO3 Org. matter % 0.07 0.09 0.02 0.03 Available P ppm 4 3 5 3 CEO meq/100 gm -

pH water 7.3 7.8 7.8 7.7 EC 1:5ext.0 Mhos 310 308 177 177

Soluble salts me i

Ca Mg Na

HCO3 01 04

Bppm Pit 26

Location: .7.)oriment Station at Rumais.

- About 100 m north-west of central wellina mellon field with meidum growth and prodnctic,n.

0-20 cm 10 6/3D,4/3M loam, soft, friable, non uticky, non pie with very strong ervescence.

0-35cm Ditto, gravelly loam sand, loose.

35-50 cm Ditto, loamy sand with common fine roots.

50-100 cmDitto, gravelly loamy sand. Spotted effervescence.

100 + cm Cemented loamy sand with very strong effervescence. 53

SOIT HLOFI No 26

Location: Experiment Station at Rumais.

Sample depth cm Analyses 0-20 20-35 35-50 50-110 110

Clay % 10 12 10 13 13 Silt % 7 4 5 12 10 Fine sand % 48 60 32 31 23 Coarse sand % 35 24 54 44 54

Gravel % 11 3 5 8 25 CaCO3 equivalent% 41 41 49 53 57

Org.matter D 0.2 0.1 0.02 0.05 0.03 Available P ppm 26 8 2 10 10 CEO meg/100 gm

pH water 7.3 7.1 7.9 7.8 7.8 EC1:5ext.0 Mhos 620 257 168 266 292 Soluble salts meg/1

Ca Mg Na

HC C103 504

B ppm - 54 -

Pi-L;

Location a Section.

About 700-000 north thc T'ciment Station.

Acacia sp. some date, some alfalfa, all of medium and avr- , owth.

0-60 cm 10 YR 6/3 D,4/3M loamy sand with sand band at about 30 cm of5cm thick. Granular to subangular blocky very soft at surface, soft at some depth then slightly hard at about 40 cm. Friable in general and slightly sticky below 20 c,m :-!:cept at the sand band.Very few fine roots at surface with roots (big) at about 40 cm.Porous with very stvong diffused effervescence.

60-90 cm Ditto, partially cemented (by carbonates) loamy sand of sub angular blocky or coarse granular structure.Very strong effervescence indicating diffused carbonates.

90 + cm 10 YR7/3D,4/3M cemented, very hard sandstonelike material with very strong effervescence. -55-

SOIL PR0Y.:o. 6

Location: Rumais cross section.

Sample depth cm 'Inalyses 0-30 30.60 60-90 90-120

Clay % 21 20 21 20 Silt % 8 11 12 8 i'ine sand % 62 59 55 64 Coarse sand % 10 10 12 8

Gravel % 2 2 1 17 equivalent% 45 47 48 48 CaCO3 Org.matter % 0.48 0.27 0.17 0.10 Available P ppm - - - - CEC meq/100 gm

pH water 7.6 7.8 7.9 7.8 EC1:5ext.0 Mhos 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.8 Soluble salts me

Ca 1.0 0.8 0.9 1.0 Mg 1.6 1.5 1.7 1.9 Na 0,14 0.1 0.08 0.1 K 1.1 1.0 1.2 1.1 HC03 1.0 0.9 1.3 1.3 Cl 0.8- 0.8 0.6 0.6 04

B ppm SOIL PROVILE No, 22

Location: Rumais cross section.

Sample depth cm Analyses 0-30 30-60 60-90 0-120

Clay % 15 12 15 9 Silt % 16 9 11 7 eine sand % 57 36 29 16 Coarse sand % 12 42 45 67

Gravel % 4 6 22 9 CaCO3 equivalent% 37 52 56 28

Org. matter % 0.8 0.2 001 0.05 Available P ppm 21 3 4 3 CEC meg/100 gin -

pH water 7.9 7.9 709 7.7 EC 1:5ext.0 Mhos 156 414 524 408 Soluble salts meg/1

Ca Mg

HC Co3l 04

B ppm Location: Rumais Section.

About 1700 m north of the Experiment Farm.

Dates, halophites (scattered) and other small shrubs.

Dunes type topography of more than3%slope.

0-50 cm 10 YR 6/3 D fine loamy sand of massive structure. Very soft, very friable, non sticky.Diffused carbonates gave very strong effervescence. Wind blown type material.

50-70 cm Ditto butgTrelly.

70-80cm Fine barr

80-87cm Another layer of gravellyldamysand.

87-140cm Fine loamy sand with few gravel.

140+ cm 10 YR 7/3 2,7-zyttolJy gley,,.d sand clay loan with very strong efïe17,rescence ancl salty taste.

See bore24,and pit 24 for comparison. 00 -T. .r.uILENO 2

Location: Rumais cross section.

- Semple del)th cm Lnalyses 0-20 20-25 50-8080-140 140;-

Clay % 13 9 9 9 36 Silt % 13 5 2 3 35 Fine sand % 67 67 20 34 23 Coarse sand % 12 19 69 54 5

Gravel % 2 2 44 3 11 CaCO equivalent % 38 43 40 45 59 3 Org. matter % 0.3 0.2 0.01 0.04 0.3 Available P ppm 29 4 3 3 7 CEO meg/100 gm 6.3 5.2 3.9 4.5 -

pH water 8.0 8.0 7.9 7 8.o EC 1:5 extol% Mhos 2960 2636 1711 ':.,,,j, 2590 Soluble salts meq/

Ca 9.0 2.2 6.2 1.3 Mg 4.2 3.2 2.4 3.2 15.8 18.2 8.0 19.3 HC 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.2 Clo3 0.8 0.8 0.8 2.8 so 17.0 19.0 7.6 17.6 4 17.8 1.8 9.0 5.0 B ppm EILL

Location: Rumais Section.

At about 2500 m north of Farm.

Low and known as "SabhhaP or Trey ualt aiTootod we aoil. Haloyphites are the most common vc:gstation. Daert av,z, growl or oolatively high levels and of coarse terture matevial on both the coas:u UneP3*;Q,and the sand dunes.

0-20 cm Salt crust followe. by 10 YR5/3M compacted sand or loamy sand. Slightly haedbvt - 7-riable, non sticky and non plastic. Strong effervescenco,

20-55 cm 10 YR5/3M loamy sand with some filau3:J±.)11 fragments. Slightly hard, very friable with very strong efferve6Gee.

55-110 cm 10 YR 3/4v 4/4 M loamy sand, gleyed and stained (spots of iron oxides and hydroxides). Some shell pieces,. Moist, slightly sticky when wet. Dead (decomposed) treeshrub roots.

1104-cm 7.5 YR 2/0 Beech sactici mi:ed with fish chell D?agments. The dark color is domia]ant with th2 white fish shells all over Vsfyboiland wet. Friable and non sticky. Etron,s. eiTorvocoenc,f,.Lu

See bores 24 and 25 and pit 23 for comparison. SOIL F.aLE No, 24

Location:Rumais Cross Section,

Sample depth cm Analyses 0-20 20-25 59-110 110-150

Clay % 10 11 13 9 Silt % 22 5 8 2 Fine sand % 39 50 44 35 Coarse sand % 29 34 35 54

.. . Gravel % 5 3 3 - equivalent % 42 52 41 48 CaCO3 Org.matter % 0.5 0.08 0.1 0.5 Available P ppm 12 4 7 5 CEO meg/100 gm 7.6

pH water 7.9 7.9 8.0 8.0 EC 1:5ext.0 Mhos 16465 2035 2821 4070 Soluble salts me

Ca 47.2 1.3 1.6 9.8 Mg 38.2 3.0 4.6 15.4 Na 110.0 15.2 19.6 15.0 3,6 0.3 0.4 0.3 HC 03 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.6 01 142.0 15.6 21.6 17.8 504 52.0 3.2 3.6 30.8

B ppm SOIL Ft0kILE No.2

Location: Sohar ProdUction karm.

Sample depth cm Analyses 20 20-40 40-70

Clay % 27 26 17 22 20 Silt % 30 33 14 22 19 .eine sand% 40 38 41 51 55 Coarse sand5 3 3 28 5 6

Gravel % 5 1 equivalent % 18 21 CaCO3 Org. matter % 0.1 0.3 0.3 Available P ppm 16 6 3 6 CEO le 100 gm pH water 8.5 8.4 8.5 EC ext.0 Mhos 1:5 381 381 266 399 Soluble salto meq/

Ca 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 Mg 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.4 Na 3.0 3.0 2.2 3.4 0.1 0.08 0.04 0.02 2.2 HCO3 2.2 2.0 2.2 Cl 1.4 1.0 0.8 1.6 SO4 B ppm

* iqu'row crest sample showed high salinity. The EC 1:5 6447u mhos/cm at28°C. NaQ1 being the most dominant salt. SOIL PROVILE No,28

Location:Sohar Production liarm.

hLrnpJ dc1p0). ew

0-20 20-50 50-90 90-120

C;lay % 23 31 27 22 Silt % 27 38 26 14 .bine sand % 44 31 45 61 Coarse sand % 7 1 2 4

C-,... vel % 9 . 1 1 equivalent % 19 20 19 19 'aCO3 ..matLev % 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.2 LArailable P ppm 2.4 5 3 3 CY, meq/100gm _

pH water 7.5 7.2 7.4 7.3 EC 1:5 ext.0 Mitos 939 2763 1980 1169 Soluble salts me

Ca 1.2 2.0 1.4 1.0 Mg 1.6 5.8 4.4 3.6 Na 5.2 18.2 13.8 6.8 1.3 1.3 0.1 0.06 1.2 1.0 1.2 1.2 C'l 2.6 12.0 10.4 7.9 4 B ppm -64-

Pit39

Location: Dairy !Pam at Sohar.

Uncultivated aiea in the south east corner (see sketch).

0-25 cm 10 YR 6/3 D,4/3M loamy sand weak platy to granular, slightly hard, slightly stickyand slightly plastic calcareous material of very strong effervescence. Common fine and medium roots.

25-40cm Ditto silty loan of platy structure, hard friable, slightly sticky and slight plastic.

40-55cm Ditto, silt loam, soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly pltic massive to weak granular structure.Calcareous.

55-70 cm Ditto, Bandy loam.

70-110 cmDitto, clay loam, hard, friable, sticky and plastic calcareous material of platy structure. Strong effervescence may indicate relative accumulation of diffused carbonates.

110-140 cm Ditto, silty loam.

140+ cm Gravelly stony, loam. SO:

Location:Sobar Dairy Farm.

Saran-Le depthera A -oelyse s 0-25 55 -7O 70-110

Clay 3/4 10 13 10 10 14 silt % 9 31 12 7 213 FineJ,,y_,71ct, 74 50 70 76 51

C , .1 e .cl, 7 6 8 7 7

Gravel % 2 cri CaCO3 equivalen io 13 16 15 11 17

Org . mat t er % 0.2 0.2 0.2 02 0.2 Available P ppm 2 1 3 1 2 GEC me 100 gm 9 13 9 8 13 pH water EC 1:5ex-tu Mhos 99 122 132 127 207 Soluble e alta meq/1

Ca Ng Na

Eco

04

B ppm Pit 40

Location: Dairy rarm at Sohar.

In a new citrus orchard that had been sprayed for Zn deficiency. Very close to the first well in the north east corner of the farm. (See Sketch).

O-20 cm 10 YR6/3D, 4/4 M; silt loam to clay loam, granular, soft, friable, sticky and plastic. Common roots to 30 cm. Strong effervescence.

20-50 cm Ditto. Silty clay loam of granular structure except a band of platy structure is about 40 cm.

50-100 cm Ditto, sandy loam of massive structure.Calcareous porous material.

100-150 cm Ditto silty loam of massive structure. Moist calcareous material. 67

40

Location: Sehar Dairy Farm.

Sample depth cm Analyses

0-20 20-50 50-100 100,.-150

Clay % 16 14 10 12 Silt o 29 15 6 18 eine sand % 52 62 70 55 Coarse sand % 3 9 14 15

Gravel % CaCO3 equivalent 21 21 13 16

Org.matter % 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.1 Available P ppm 23 5 4 4 CEO me 100 gm 11 7 5 10

pH water 7.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 EC 1:5 ext.0 Mhos 1084 462 150 264 Soluble salts meq/1

Ca 3.4 Mg 4.3 Na 1.9 0.2 HCO 1.0 3 C1 3.1 504

B ppm Pit 41

Location: Dairy .arm at Sohar.

The center of the area at which the proposed center pivot irrigation system will be installed.

Undulating topography.

0-10 cm 10 YR 6/3D, 5/4 M, Sandy loam, platy, soft, friable slightly sticky and slightly plastic. Few roots of fine and very fine size. Strong effervescence.

10-50 cm Ditto, but of granular structure.

50-90cm Ditto, loam blocky, hard, friable, sticky and plastic. Mottles of carbonate of powdary nature giving very strong reaction with dilute cold acid. Dense fine roots are present.

9-140 cm Ditto silty loam, granular; hard friable; slightly sticky and slightly sticky and slightly plastic. Strong effervescence.

140+ cm Ditto with gravells and strones. 41

Location: Sohar Dairy Farm.

Sample der-1,hcm Analynes 0-10 10-50 50-90 90-140

Clay % 17 16 20 15 Silt % 14 17 28 35 .1qne sand % 55 53 47 45 Coarse sand % 14 4 5 5

Gravel % 2 CaCO3 equivalent% 18 17 19 15

Org.matter % 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 Available P ppm 4 3 2 4 CEC meg/100 gm 10 10 15 16

pH water A EC1:5ext.0 Mhos 113 113 310 603 Soluble salts meg

Ca Mg Na

HC C103 04

Bppm 70

Pit45

Location: Dairy barm at Sohar.

South west area of the farm (see sketch).

Undulating uncultivated area. More than 1% slope to the north east.

0-20cm 10 YR6/4D loamy sand platy, soft, friable non sticky, non plastic. Few roots of fine and medium sizes.Strong effervescence.

20-42 cm 10 YR 6/3D loamy sand with some gravels.

42-60 cm 10 YR 6/4¡silty 1(*..m hard, compacted or cemented by some diffused carbonate with very strong effervescence. Slightly sticky and plastic material.

60-110 cm10 YR 6/3fine loamy sand, slightly compacted friable, non sticky and ron plastic calcareous material.

110-150 cm 10 YR 6/4 D silty clay loam, blocky to angular blocky, hard, friable, sticky, plastic, and calcareous material. 71

OIL MO-FHB No., 4

Location: Sohar Dairy larm0

Sample depth cm Aualyses 0-20 20-42 42-60 60-110 100+

Clay % 10 10 13 1 17 Silt o 6 5 19 6 31 eine sand % 78 57 60 76 48 Coarse sand % 6 28 8 7 4 Gravel % CaCO3 equivalent% 15 11 20 16 21

Org.matter % 0.12 0.1 0.15 0.1 0.1 Available P ppm 9 3 2 2 3 GEC meg/100 gm 7 6 9 8

pH water EC1:5ext.0 Mhos 65 91 127 122 182 Soluble salte meg/1 Pit 31

about 900 1,, Schar main

1.1tersections in this

10 YR 6/3 D,5/4 i0 cJ77loam, cc7. ar to sub-angular block

slightly hard, friabli :.=i; icky ad , Strong reaction with dilute acid.

40-70 cm Clay loam blocky, compacted, hard sticky and plastic.

70-110 cmSandy loamloose and soft slightly sticky and non plastic.

110-120 cm Sand band.

120-150 cm Loamy sand - strong effervescence. Nr

Location:Sohar New Project area.

bocuple. 6.,peh cm Arlalyses .d0 40-70 70-110

Clay % 25 23 16 Silt % 32 24 13 Fine sand % 38 47 51 Coarse sand 5 6 10 Gravel % CaCO3 equivalent 20 22 15 Org.mat-Ler 0.4 0.3 0.1 Available ? ppm lo 7 6 CC me100 oa 14.5 14,5 11 pH )ratex 7.8 7.7 7.9 EC 15 0.71;.1.1 lacw 14.1 38.1 31.0 Soluble oallc moc.

Ca 0.4 0.4 0.2 Mg 0.6 0.3 Na 0,6 2.6 2.2 0.2 0.02 0.02 0.2 0.02 0.02 ni 1.6 1.0 ;30 1.3 2.0 1.8

B ppm Pit 35

Location: Soh:.

About 850 m ust of Heeby gravel road at about 2700 m south of Muscat Sohar main road.

Undulated topography. Scattered desert shrubs with scarce Acacia sp. and short weak grass.

8.-20 cm 10 YR 6/3, 6/4D stratified (layered) loam of platy structure. Slightly hard, friable, sticky and plastic. Strong reaction with HC1. Common very fine roots.

20-35 cm Ditto but more compacted with very strong effervescence with a wavey boundary to

35-60 cm Gravelly plus stone layer.

60-100 cm Stratified loam with gravel and stone.

100-120 cm Sandy loam of granular structure.

120-140 cm Stratified loam with gravel and stone.

140 + cm Loan, fairly compacted, granular to blocky structure. Strong effervescence. - 75 -

Sohar I

oP clerri,h cm

3i-60 60-.100 100-120

17 17 6 Gravel 16 511t 30 28 5 6 17111W. Nand % 48 47 17 41 2:and % 5 7 72 37

% 2 21 3 GPCO, '3/0 19 16 5 8

Cfr,g.matter % 0,41,. 0.4 0.01 0.3 h.vpj),,.,:olP ppm 1? 2 2 1 CK alc.100 gm 15 12.5 4.5 7 TT water W 1:5 ext.0 Mhor, 132 518 150 113 luble salts m-.1ct/

B ppm -76

Location: Saham New Project.

At about2km south of Sohar Muscat road on the South East boundaiy.

Scattered t shrubs on a relative flat area with nekhas. Acacia is the mostCOMMQA 1.r1.11)S0

0-20 cm 10 YR 6/3 D, silty loam of platy structure, soft friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic.

20-75cm Gravelly sand with stones.

75-90cm 10 YR 6/3 silty loam layer.

90 + cm Gravelly sand layer. SOL'

Location: Sohar New Proje

Svo(plc dopth1451

^r C *I) 75-90

Olay % 20 9 12 Gravelly Silt % 39 2 23 sand Fi-ae Fand % 36 31 46 Coe,vse sand % 6 58 20

Gravel % 19 CaCO3 equivalent%

Org. matter % Available P ppm CEC m 100 gm

pH waLe5: EC 15ex-L.0Mhos 142 85 114 Soluble salte me

Ca Mg Na

HCO3 C1

SO4

B ppm Pit4T

Location: Saham New Project.

At about 300 m south of Soha :oad at about 2500 m west of Saham Shell gas station, the wee- loundary of the project.

An opon, levelled al.e which seemed to have been cultivated in the past.

0-20 cm 10 YR 6/3 D, 4/3 M, silty loam of weak platy structure, soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic. Oalcareous.

20-50 cm Ditto, subangular blocky breaks to large granular structure. Calcare ous.

50-80 cm Ditto, more stable structure more compacted and hard, friable, slightly sticky and plastic.

80-100 cmDitto, blocky structure with stronger effervescence which may indicate some accumulation of secondary carbonate.

100-130 cm Ditto, but relatively softer.

130-200 cm Ditto, but more compacted and strong effervescence, SOIL PROFITE No.47

Location: Saham New Project area.

Sample depth cm Analyses 0-20 20-50 50-80 80-100 100-130

OlaY 25 27 24 26 34 Silt % 52 43 37 33 50 Fine sand % 22 29 37 39 16

Coarse sand % 1 1 2 2

Gravel % equivalent % CaCO3 Org.matter % Available P ppm CEO meq/100 gm 12 13 15 15 16

pH water EC 1:5 ext.0 Mhos 7.4 8.0 8.0 7.9 7.8 Soluble salts meq/1 200 2759 1806 1710 1996

Ca - 7.2 3.4 3.0 2.4 Mg 7.8 6.4 6.0 7.6 Na 12.0 8.6 7.8 9.4 0.1 0.1 3.2 0.3 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 HCO3 C1 16.0 9.5 10.0 12.5 04 10.1 7.9 6.3 5.8

B ppm

*Saline sub-soil, also bores 41 and 50. Local

,amoL IjLII

,r4 0-20 10- 70

o 25 ,o ,lit 6 30 43 28 o a ji 0:2 tcl 27 23

13 7 8 equivalent 26 39 37

matt, er 0i6 O.11,-) O12 ppm 13 5 2 /100 2H L'2 sr 7 .6

.T:,C3 I'd 5 ext .0 1,InoB 280 olub e salt s meg

O 6 6 10.6 i52. 0 2 02 1 2 0 .8 72 14 .6 . 4 10 .6 -

Pit 50

Ad Dar iz-. Sharcliza

Undulated topography scattered desert shrubs and low Acacia sp.

0-10 cm 10 Y 6/33ravel1y loam, granular, loose, friable plip;htly sticky, slightly plastic and very calcareoun.

10-30 cm Ditto with more gravel and better structure. Spots of powdery calcium carbonate.

30-60 cm 10 YR 7/3silty loam with carbonate soft concretions.

60+ cm Gravel layer. 82

SOIL PROFILE No,50

Local; ion: Ad Dariz-Sharqiya.

Sample depth cm Analyses 0-10 10-20

Clay % 23 24 Silt % 28 23 Fine sand % 26 20 Coarse sand % 24. 33

Gravel % 14 31 CaCO3 equivalent% 33 30

Org.matter 0.06 0.07 Available P ppm 5 2 CEC m 100 gm

pH water EC 1:5 ext.0 Mhos 110 120 Soluble salts meq/1

Ca

HCO el3 SO4

B ppm -83

Gion s Al Kamil Al C; New Project.

At aholl:c:!00 m south of ak Al Imam farm and at 800 m from the southern 1 ofTi K;7mTl.

slis-ubc,L1c1trees are common on a level land which is subject to loTiablouyi

0-40 cm 10 YR6/4D,7.5YR4/4M loamy sand. Highly calcareous.

40-75 CM 7,5-'»-4 6/4 D,4 4 :A.ly loamy sand. Roots are common to the 30ClYnn

75-90cm Ditto, highl:

90-110 cm Highkv loamy Secondary carbonates show in soft mot;.1e5,

110-160 cm Gravelly loam,r sand plus stones.

160-I-cm Highly ca.7.0, stone or rock, chalk-. 84

SOIL PROFILE No. 1

Location: Al K New Project area.

Sample depth cm Analyses 0-40 40-75 90-115 115-160

Clay % 11 17 14 17 13 Silt % 2 5 4 6 5 Yine sand % 74 61 44 60 59 Coarse sand % 14 17 38 18 24

Gravel % 5 20 10 29 CaCOequivalent % 30 30 31 25 24* 3 0.2 0.07 0.09 0.1 0.2 Org. matter % 18 10 24** 42** 20*it Available P ppm CEC me 100 gm

pi-1 water 7.8 7.8 EC 1:5ext.0 Mhos 510 330 400 660 1180 Soluble salts meq/1

Ca 2.8 7.6 Mg 3.2 5.0 Na 1.2 1.5 0.08 0.08 HO 1.4 1.1 CO3l 1.0 1.2 S 04 5.0 12.0

B ppm

* The old terrace substrata contained35%CaCO3 at the depth of more than 160 cm.

** This area was used to discharge waetes of gravel grinding for the main road. O h1 il new police 300 'fe1l No. 625e i'ad blown o.Pe oommon in this area.

0--30 cm 10 TH. JaAloar Oj.pled,y co i,orJ 11:C1 p,mi°,71,11.:eo of c c3,ijnu v..1 tin; ladinc,t. ria1 MO'

30-80 OM t: o r) t develops 4;0 f m.92r pocent a flood pi 80 + cm material.This may represent an old tC SOIL PROFILE No,

Location: North Al Karon new project area.

Sample depth cm Analyses 0-30 0-80

Clay % 17 10 Silt % 5 24 Fine sand % 67 58 Coarse sand % 11 8

Gravel % 5 7 equivalent % 38 41 CaCO3 Org. matter % 0.03 0.12 Available P ppm 5 26 GEC me 100 gm

pH water 2.3 7.3 EC 1:5 ext.0 Mho 180 2800

Soluble salts me 1

Ca 28.0 Mg 6.0 Na 2.3 1.6 HIJO 0.7 Cl 1.0 SO4 35.0 Bppm 4

Location: North Al Kamil New Project.

-At about 500 m north west of the new police station.At about 500 m from the main road Muscat - SurNear well, Tim 82).

-Undulating topography, low sandy dunes are scattered in this reach. Small farms irrigated from hand dug wells on the east and west of this pit.

0-20 cm 10 YR7/3D,4/4M silt loam of dusty or massive structure. Very calcareous. Common fine roots of halophites are present.

20-25 cm Ditto silt loam of granular structure. Very calcareous. Hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic.

50-80 cm 10 YR6/3 Dv 3/4 M silt loam of strong granular to sub-angular blocky. Very strong effervescence which may indicate a relative accumulat ion of secondary carbonate.

80-100 cm Ditto but gravelly. £38

SOIL PROFINE No.54

Location: North Al Kamil oject area.

Sample depth cm Analyses 0-20 20-50 50-80 80-100

Clay % 15 15 24 19 Silt 8 14 15 19 iine sand % 63 51 52 Coarse sand % 73 5 8 10 11 Gravel % 5 9 10 9 equivalent % 62 37 65 35 CaCO3

Org.matter % 0.25 0.20 024. 0.22 Available P ppm 7 3 4 4 GEC meq/100 gm

pH water EC 1:5 ext.0 Mhos 120 100 160 240 Soluble salts meq./1

Ca Mg Na

ClHCO3 SO4 Bppm -89-

Pi

Location: North Al-Kamil New Project.

At about 4000 m from Al Kamil new police station and at about 800 m east of the main road. West to old village remnant.

Undulated topography. Acacia of medium dense cover. Some sand dunes are observed.

O-20 cm 10 YR 7/3D, 4/4 M, loam, fine granular, loose to very soft, slightly sticky and slightly plastic. Very calcareous. Medium and fine roots are common.

20-50 cm Ditto loam to clay loam or silty clay loam.Sub-angular blocky to blocky structure. Hard, friable, sticky and plastic.

50-90 cm 10 YR6/3 D, 3/4M, clay loam to silty clay loam. Sub-angular blocky to blocky. Hard, firm, sticky and plastic. Calcareous.

90-110 cm 10YR 6/2D,3/4M clay loam of blocky structure. Hard, firm, sticky and plastic. Calcareous. 90

SOIL 3?

Location: North Al Kamil New Project area.

Sample depth cm Analyses 0-20 20-50 50-90 90-110

Clay % 20 31 45 44 Silt % 27 26 33 39 iqne sand% 52 42 21 16

Coarse sand % 2 2 1 1

Gravel % 10 3 5 15 CaCO3 equivalent% 41 41 41 41

Org. matter % 0.37 0.35 0.41 0.38 Available P ppm 10 4 5 3 CEC meg/100 gm - - -

pH water 7.9 7.9 7.9 7.8 EC 1:5 ext.0 Mhos 140 290 820 1800 Soluble salts meq/1

Ca 1.4 2.0 Mg 2.2 2.6 Na 4.7 12.6 K 0.4 0.5 HO 1.2 1.4 C10 1.9 4.3 s04 5.1 12.1

B ppm 91

Pit57

Location: Manah Project.

A well pit near Al Sagereen falaj close to Mehmed village.

Vegetable farm irrigated from the well.

0-15 cm 10 YR6/5silty loam of very soft hardness. Very weak platy structure which breaks to dusty, very calcareous and viscular.

15-50cm 10 YR 6/2 loam of granular structure. Soft, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic.Very calcareous and viscular.

50-130 cm 10 YR 6/2 clay loam of sub-angular blocky structure which is also viscular or very common pores of different sizes are present. Soft, friable to very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic.Very calcareous.

130 + cm Crute calcare of very compacted and cemented nature.This may repre- sent an old terrace surface. -92-

SOIL PROFILEN22_5.1

Location: Manah Project.

Sample depth cm

0-15 15-50 50-130 130-

Clay % 19 29 32 22 Silt % 16 24 26 54 Fine sand % 61 40 35 19 Coarse sand % 5 7 6 4

Gravel % 2 2 4 6 eauivalent % 47 47 46 65 CaCO3 ' Org.matter % 0.88 0.47 0.85 0.12 Available P ppm 12 4 4 3 CEO meq/100 gm

pH water 7.3 7.4 7.3 7.4 EC1:5ext.0 Mhos 170 220 220 190 Soluble salts meq/1

Ca Mg Na

HCO3 Cl 304

Bppm Locationz Maa

West of the gn Nj4,we,-11211:11)at aboaL 1250 m to the west. This area lies between the KhE:cm aad falo.j, (Seemap).

An abandoned farm. After wheat.

0-30 cm 10 YR 6/2 to 6./3 ajlty loam to clay loam of subangular blocky to blocty rThsuc'blire few centimE;i.ors from the plowed layer. Slightly hard9 firrn rYichr and plastic, Very calcareous.Roots are common.

30-50cm 10 YR5/3clay loem blocky pitilre. Hard, firmt sticky and plaeic. Very cal - with ronatemiciliaand small nodules common.

50-100 cm 10 YR 4/2 clay loam Lo clay of prizmatic structure. Powdary or soft carbonatenodules common. Pressure faces with very thin clay film could be noticed. Hard, firm, very sticky and very plastic.

100 + om 10 YR 4/2 clay loam to clay of ver 3cemented or compacted structure. Very hard, very firm, slightlyEt: id slightly plastic. PT T. )I..IIE No

Location: Manah Project.

SamplQ:: de-001 cm

^ -N .31 0-30 30-50 50-100

Clay % 30 43 48 Silt 31 36 29 fine sand 37 21 22 Coarse sand % 2

Crave' % 12 13 14 equivalent % 47 41 41 CaCO3 Org.matter % 0.7 0.9 0.3 Available Pppm 6 2 3 CEO meq/100 gm

pH water 7.6 7.7 EC 1:5 ext.0 os 530 850 Solublesalts

Ca 24 1.2 Mg 5.7 3.4 Na 3.1 7.1 0.2 0.1 HCO 0.9 1.1 Cl 3 6,0 04 6.2 4.6

B ppm Location: Manh Project.

West the gravel road.±!7*E'iia.1, the northern reach at about1 km from the small Mosque near AlRb.7,11m

Abandoned farm, or a rainirrigated farm, part of which was recently sawed with wheat.

0-20 cm 10 YR 6/3 vi3oplav slAty loam at surface develops to strong blocky at 10 cm. Vevy301i,at surface bcomes slightly hard with depth. Friable, sticky and plastic when moist° V,-.7a,y calcareous. Common fine and medium roots are found.

20-40 cm 10 YR 4/3 o of blocky structure that breaks down to sub- angular blckyThowing carbonate powdery nodules between grains or on peds Veily rticky and plastic. Very strong effervescelr, Somc Lrc,o,20rA,j OYbg roots are found.

40-100 cm 10 YR 3/4 to3/6clay loan of weak to good prizmatic structure. Pres- sure faces with verwe-71:clay films could be observed. Obvious carbonate nodul of size are common.

100 + cm Cemented very hard maovLal. breaks to gravelly which may indicate the surface of an old tazwoo, -96 -

SOIL PROFILE No.59

Location: Manah Project.

Sample depth om Analyses 0-20 20-40 40-100 100-150

Clay % 26 34 24 26 Silt % 23 32 22 17 Vine sand % 45 29 26 27 Coarse sand % 6 5 28 29

Gravel % 12 13 22 15 CaCO3 equivalent% 44 39 35 48 Org.matter % 0.36 0.55 0.31 0.07 Available P ppm 4 2 2 2 CEC meq/100 gin - - - -

pH water 7.6 7.3 7.9 7.4 EC 1:5extou Mhos 180 320 430 300 Soluble salts meq/1

Ca Mg Na

Bppm -97-

60

Location: Manah Project.

West of thec'e.yel road NizwaManah near the southern reach of this flats open land,

Vegetation is scattered and composed of mainly halophites. Some low acacia is also present.

0-20 cm 10 YR 6/3 silty loam, viscular at the top granular underneath this crust. Very loose, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic. Very calcareous. Only few fine roots are present.

20-40 cm 10 YR 6/2 silty loam to clay lom oT subenglilar blocky to weak blocky develops to blocky with dsshh, 'Hard, friable, sticky and plastic. Very strong effervescence.

40-90cm 10 YR3/4clay loam of blok;,- Lo weak prizmatic structure.Very hard, sticky and very pleslc, Very strong effervescence. Some salt crystals (gypsum) arc p.ossoul,,

90 + cm Very hard and cemented material or perhaps the parent rock of limestone or sand stone mixture. -J-1" 36 3

7 11 32 37 38 0.38 3

7.3 850 AI

List of Maps

Rumais farms General locat ion

Rumais farm No. 1 Rumais farm No. 2 NEsery farm

:13.rm.Ti. farm No 3 Experiment Station farm - Rumais Sohar production farm Sohar dairy farm Sohar new project Soham new project Ad Dariz - Al IzzC.Ay rea Al Kamil - Al WafiGe:Alarea anah general area W1L5736/E/9.78/1/50