The study was carried out at Soil Research Center in the province of Daraa
during 2011 in order to study some physical and moisture characteristics for
cinnamon soil, which occupies (48000 km²), equivalent to 26% of the area of the
Syrian Arab Rep
ublic and represents the cultivation of growing field crops
with a rainfall ranges between 150- 300 mm. The results showed that the
mechanical analysis for soil referred that its texture is clay with a good ability
to retain water, the field capacity rated between (30-38.85)%. The studied soil
has high value of available water (38.93mm) and useful water (25.69mm) in the
surface layer. The highest value of permanent wilting point and hygroscopic
moisture was reached in the final depth in studied profile soil, It was also
distinguished a high total porosity ranged between 51.78 and 55.59% with
a good air porosity amounted to 9.38 - 15.47 % in different depths and with the
decline to 5.51 % in the depth 30 - 45cm.
Land degradation deteriorates environmental systems and has direct and
negative effects on crops yield, pastures and forests. Land degradation is an old
phenomenon but in the last years it accelerated and spread widely to reach
some interne areas
in Syria like the studied area (Blay) which situated on the
road of Damascus-Sowyda. In this paper morphological, physio-chemical,
hydraulic and fertility study was done to clarify and define the reasons of this
degradation in this specified area. Three land sections were done and
morphologically described on site, soil samples were taken for analyses in the
laboratory. Results showed that, the degradation may be related to different
reasons like high apparent density which indicates the soil compacting, the low
cation exchange capacity (CEC) and the low hydraulic conductivity with a low
percentage of available water. Results also showed that the adding different
percentage of soil conditioners, like hay, compost, polymer and manure
ameliorates in different ratios the physical and hydraulic properties of soil.
