Evaluation of soil salinity problems associated with sugarcane production under irrigation at tanganyika planting company (tpc) estates, Moshi
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Date
1999
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine Univesirty of Agriculture
Abstract
In Tanzania the problem of salinity and sodicity is common and widespread especially in
irrigation schemes, the Tanganyika Planting Company Ltd in Arusha Chini- Moshi
(TPC) being one of them. A detailed study was carried out to investigate the distribution,
origin and characteristics of salt affected soils in TPC. The objectives were to categorize
the soils in terms of the salinity problem; to investigate the sources of salt accumulation
and asses the quality of irrigation and underground waters in the study area.
A preliminary survey of the irrigated fields was done and experimental fields were
selected on the basis of the available information, crop growth performance and visual
appearance of soil and plants. Soil characterization was based on physical and chemical
properties. Detailed laboratory characterization was done on the salt affected soils,
irrigation and underground waters.
A soil morphology study revealed that the soils are young profiles, of deep alluvial
deposits.
The soils were classified according to the FAO (1988) soil classification system and
found to be Humic Cambisols; Eutric Gleysols and Calcaric Fluvisols in South, North
and West areas of TPC respectively.iii
The main categories of soils in TPC were observed to be generally: Normal soils in
north and west areas; Saline (fields 19A and 2Id) and sodic (80%) soils in South area;
Saline sodic soils in field R8 in West area.
Kikuletwa river water showed a potential to cause soil salinity with electric conductivity
values of 0.95 and 0.48 dS/m in first and second water sampling respectively. Ruvu and
Weruweru waters were found to have medium and low salinity levels, values being
0.35,0.16 and 0.07,0. IdS/m respectively. As far as sodium content of water is
concerned, all the three rivers were found to have low sodium. Values are 19.71, 11.9
and 3.33mg/kg in Kikuletwa, Ruvu and Weruweru rivers respectively.
Other causes of salts in TPC soils were found to be seepage from Kikuletwa river, hig
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Irrigation schemes, Salinity problem, Soils distribution, Tanzania