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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

The influence of the subsurface grey layer on the general performance of cotton in the Gezira scheme

Ibtihag K. A., Khodri I. O. El Hagwa A. and Adam I.

Abstract:

Five soil profiles were randomly dug in different localities in the Gezira scheme where the grey layer is deep (> 90cm). Also six soil profiles were likewise excavated in each one of the areas that have moderately deep (60 cm to 90cm) and shallow (< 60cm) grey layers. About 140 cotton plants were collected from the 15 sites for each of the three types of grey layers and a total of 50 soil samples were collected and analyzed. The results showed that the difference between the percent organic carbon of the deep grey layer and that of each of the shallow and the moderately deep grey layers were statistically significant. However, differences between the percent nitrogen of these layers were insignificant. The study also revealed that the available phosphorus was low in each the three grey layers. The field observations showed that when the grey layer is shallow, most of the cotton root length was affected presumably due to the fact that the roots are intercepted by the zone of influence of the grey layer. It was perceived that the shallowness of the grey layer provided less soil volume for the cotton roots to absorb both nutrients and water compared to their counterparts grown on soils with moderately deep and deep grey layers. The study indicated that the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by cotton plants was low on soils with shallow grey layer and relatively high on soils with moderately deep and deep grey layers. This may suggest that depth of the grey layer is probably critical for both nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition of cotton plant.



 

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 12  (2008) PP. 33-40