Evaluation of Soils of Qasr Libya Region (Jabal Al Akhdar, Libya) Terms in their Morphological and Chemical Characteristics

The current research work aims to investigate the morphology characteristics, classification and fertility of the Merad Radia soil, Qasr Libya region (Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar), Libya. To achieve the targets of this investigation, two selected profiles were dug in the soil to represent the soils of the studied area then were examined. The profile No.1 was done in a zone that is higher than sea level about 387 meters (32º 682631 N - 21º 341217 E), while the profile No.2 was done in a region that is 274 meters above sea level (32º 687835 N - 21º 3336672E). The study was done at two depths for each profile. The morphology description illustrated that both profiles were dark red (2.5YR3/6, dry), and brown tended to be dark red (2.5YR3/4, moist). The soil was clayey, bulky, compact, very sticky and formed when wet, very cohesive and solid when dry, non-calcareous, clear horizon boundaries to the next horizon as for both profiles, noting the presence of a solid deaf layer in profile No.2. The soil of profile No.1 and No.2 were classified as Lithic Rhodoxeralfs and Typic Haploxeralfs, respectively. Organic matter content was very high with a maximum value of 3.17% in surface layer of profile No.1. CaCO₃ was moderately with a maximum value of 3.70% in surface layer of profile No.1. The soils of the studied area were non-saline(EC from 0.11 to 0.27 dSm^-1) having a clayey texture and pH values ranging from 8.11 to 8.30.The drainage was somewhat good in the studied area.