Leaching of saline soils in Iraq.

Salinity data from a few project areas on the Lower Mesopotamian Plain are summarized. An example of the degree of salt movement in the top soil and of overall discharge of salt from an area is cited; it is concluded that even with intensive drainage and leaching the subsoil and drain water will remain salty for at least 15-20 years. A leaching curve for one site is constructed; it is compared with others and the limits of its use are explained; with the curve and knowledge of the salinity before leaching the amount of water needed to produce a particular salinity level can be estimated; to assist such calculations a leaching graph has been constructed to show the drain-water depth per unit depth of soil as a function of the salinity before leaching and of three different levels after leaching. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)