Effect of using mole drainage associated with open and tile drainage systems on saline soil properties in Egypt and Tunisia / Mohamed Abdalla Ahmed Mohamed ; Supervised Adel Saad Elhassanin , Antar Shaaban Antar

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Institute of African Research and Studies - Department of Natural Resources

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of open and tile drainage spacing with and without mole drains in a clayey salt affected soil and its ability to prevent physical and chemical soil degradation properties, therefore, improving soil properties and increasing productivity. A field experiment was conducted during winter season of 2015/16 at the North Nile delta (Youth Graduated Villages, Kafer Elshiek governorate, Egypt). Mole drains spaced at 4m between the ploughed lines and 60cm depth were installed. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected before sugar beet cultivation and after harvesting for soil chemical and physical analyses. Observation wells were installed to monitor the fluctuation of ground water level and salinity. Results revealed that Drainage applied treatments had lowered the water table level compared to the undrained soil. The drop of water table level was faster with narrow drain spacing (open or tile drainage) than the wider one. Water table drawdown rate increased and its salinity decreased after drainage application especially narrow drain spacing (open or tile drainage) than control. Moling in conjunction with drainage realized a high rate of water table drawdown though the first few days after irrigation

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