The effect of soil burning on the chemical and physical properties of soil and potassium status in northern Iraq

Abstract

Two sites were chosen in northern Iraq, the first was from Baweza(Aridisols) village in the city of Mosul famous for its cultivation of wheat, and the other was from Zawita (Mollisols) forests in Dohuk governorate that were exposed to fires, Samples of surface soils were collected with a depth of (0.30) m to study the effect of Burning on some physical ,chemical properties and potassium status. The results indicated that burning caused an increase in the bulk density from (1.64to1.69)and (1.45to1.54) Mg.m-3 and decrease in the total porosity from (38 to36 and (45-42)% in Ba’wiza and Zawita soils respectively, the soil particlessize distribution were changed from (355- 160),(395-520), (250-320)and (310-360, (400-350) (190-390) gm.Kg for clay silt and sand separates for Ba’wiza and Zawita soils. pH (7.1 - 7.9) and (7.0 - 7.4) electrical conductivity (0.40-0.90) and (0.40-0.80) dS.m-1 CEC from (33.75-25), and (43.75- 33.75) C.molc.Kg-1 for Ba’wiza and Zawita soils respectively., a slight increase in of the organic matter content in Ba’wiza soil from (21.32- 29.2) and a sharp decrease (22.33-11.69) gm.Kg-1 in the Zawita soil, a clear increasing in of calcium carbonate content (160.36-261.82) and (28.63-141.54) gm.Kg-1.