The adequate supply of irrigation water is a crucial factor controlling the growth and productivity of crops.Under water poverty conditions in Egypt and most arid regions, sustaining the irrigation water in the root zone as long as possible becomes very necessary.Consequently, two field trials were performed aiming to evaluate the effect of zeolite soil addition of as main plots[ Z0:without zeolite(control)and Z1: with zeolite at rate of 10 Mg h -1 ]under three irrigation intervals as subplots [I1: irrigation every 12 days (traditional irrigation) in addition to irrigation every 14(I2)and 16(I3) days, which represented the deficit irrigation treatments]. The execution of the research trail was done in a split-plot design with three replicates. Maize was used as an experimental plant based on its significant response to water alterations in the root zone. Biochemical plant characters including total chlorophyll, total phenols and proline contents were measured in leaves at period of 60 days from sowing. In addition, vegetative growth parameters (plant height) as well as quantitative (e.g., No.of grain ear -1 ,No.of rows ear -1 , grain and biological yield) and qualitative (i.e.,carbohydrates, protein and oil)yield characteristics were determined at harvesting stage. Findings of this study showed that the zeolite soil addition before sowing (Z1) with irrigation interval of maize plants every14days (I2) as combined treatment realizes better results for improving quantitative and qualitative yield characteristics than non-addition of zeolite (Z0) under traditional irrigation interval (I1:every12days).Post-harvest soil analysis indicated that the usage of zeolite improves some studied soil properties e.g., bulk density, total porosity, CEC and FC.

Bahariya Oasis is one of the most geologically important areas in the Western Desert. It is also a promising location for agriculture expansion projects due to the plenty and good quality of ground water for agricultural activities. The objective of this work was to develop a soil classification map of this area using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Spot image, acquired in 2011 and digital elevation model (DEM) were used to develop physiographic units. Three main physiographic units were identified in the oasis, which are plains, depression floor with low, moderately high and high lands and pediment. Thirty one soil profiles were dug throughout the oasis to represent soil physiographic units. These profiles were described, and sampled. Soil samples were analyzed for the physical and chemical characteristics. Soils in the studied area were classified under 11 soil map units (SMUs), which are: 1.

Two field experiments were implemented at El-Gemmieza Agric., Res. Station, Agric., Res., Center in El Gharbiah Governorate, Egypt through (2017/2018) seasons to investigate the impact of rice straw and compost application on soil physicochemical properties, water use efficiency and production of both wheat and maize yields. The design of experiment was complete randomized blocks design with three replicates, the experiment comprises the following treatments: T 1 : (control), T 2 : 2.50 t ha -1 (RS), T 3 : 5.00 t ha -1 (RS), T 4 : 5.00 t ha -1 (C), T 5 : 2.50 t ha -1 (RS) + 5.00 t ha -1 (C) and T 6 : 5.00 t ha -1 (RS) + 5.00 t ha -1 (C). Results showed that the applied of all organic treatments improved organic carbon, total N, C/N ratio and pH in soil when in all sample that was taken monthly at (30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180,210, 240, 270, 300, 330 and 360 days from incubation rice straw and compost as compared to control treatment. Results show that applied T 6 gave the best values of total porosity and hydraulic conductivity but the bulk density decreased than other treatments. The same trend was noticed concerning application T 6 treatment which improved crops and water use efficiency of both wheat and maize as well as increased content (%) and uptake (Kg ha -1 ) of nitrogen, Phosphors, and potassium of grains and straw of both wheat -maize crops as compared to other treatments. It seems that the characteristics parameters of soil and plants has followed the sequence T 6 > T 5 > T 4 > T 3 > T 2 > T 1 .

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Farafra Oasis is a natural depression which located in the Egypt western desert. The whole area is under hot arid circumstance. There, the lands conferred indications of promising agricultural expansion. Study of the landforms and soils related with them can give a general survey of soil attributes. The investigated landforms include; depression floor (Peni plain-Chalky plain-Sand sheets-Playa).Eight soil profiles were selected to represent the identified physiographic units according to the information obtained during the reconnaissance field survey and the pre-field interpretation. A total of 14 soil samples, representing the different soil horizons of the selected profiles were collected, air-dried, crushed to pass through a 2 mm sieve, and stored for physical and chemical analyses. The soils were classified as following : ((Calcisalids -Gypsisalids -Haplogypsids -Haplosalids -Calcigypsisalids -Quartzipsamment -Torryluvants -Torriorthents -Aquisalids -Gypsiargids -Torripsamment)). Gypsum and calcium accumulations were found in salinity condition in most of the investigated soil samples. The drainage problem and the groundwater presence are common in most of the depression. The challenge is to be knowing of the problems and to design a suitable management system of water and soil.

Lysimeter experiments were conducted during two consecutive seasons of winter 2017/2018 and summer season 2018 for wheat and soybean at EL-Gemmieza Agriculture Research Station, El Gharbiya Governorate to study the influence of sulphur and biochar on soil proprieties, productivity of wheat and soybean yields in soils have different texture classes. The experiments were lay out in a split plot (SP) design with three replicates. The main plots were occupied with three different types of soils (clay, calcareous and sandy soils), sub plots were devoted to soil amendments i.e T1: control, T2: sulphur (1.50 Mg ha -1 ), T3: biochar (5 Mg ha -1 ) and T4: sulphur (1.50 Mg ha -1 ) + biochar (5 Mg ha -1). Results indicated that application of sulphur or biochar and individually and in combination led to an increase in available N, P, K, cation exchange capacity, total porosity, organic matter, exchangeable Ca, Mg and K while EC, pH, bulk density and soil hydraulic conductivity high significantly decreased in sandy and calcareous soils. On the contrary, soil hydraulic conductivity high significantly increased by different treatments in the clay soil. Grain and straw yields as well as N, P and K concentration and uptake of wheat and soybean were high significantly increased by all application sulphur and biochar. Consequently the improvement of soil types on all properties can be arranged in the following order sandy soil < calcareous soil < clay soil. The combination application of biochar and sulphur (T4) lead to significant increase in yield of wheat and soybean (grain and straw).