Physicochemical Characterizations for the Evaluation of Agricultural Soils in the City of Tobruk-Libya

Abstract

This study was conducted on agricultural soils in five sites located in the north and southwest of the city of Tobruk between latitude 12 24˚ north and longitude 17 23˚ east. This study aims to study the physical and chemical characteristics of soil evaluation. The study included a physical and chemical analysis of investigated soil samples. It was found from the mechanical analysis of the soil samples that it can be classified as sandy in texture, and saline-alkaline according to the division of the American Salinity Laboratory. The results showed that nutrients such as phosphorous in soil samples are poor, and potassium available to plants ranges from 70-113 ppm, with an average of 91.2 ppm, and this level in sandy soil is sufficient for the crops' needs of this element. The zinc concentration ranges from 0.46-0.76 ppm, with an average of 0.57 ppm, which is an insufficient amount to supply the plant with its needs of this element. It was also found that the manganese concentration ranges from 0.78-0.96 ppm, with an average of 0.86 ppm, which is a low concentration that is not sufficient to supply plants with their essential needs and also, some other elements.