Hisham Ahmed - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Hisham Ahmed

WNOFNS 48 (2023) 95-106, 2023

The present study was carried out at Guneid Research Sugar Cane Center during the two seasons of ... more The present study was carried out at Guneid Research Sugar Cane Center during the two seasons of 2014 and 2015.The objective was to investigate the effect of three irrigation intervals 7, 10 and 14 days and two planting methods manual and mechanical on sugar beet crop growth and yield. The parameters measured were germination ratio, root thickness, root number/ha, leaf weight, root crop yield, polarization, estimated recovery sugar and sugar beet production. A split plot design with four replications was used. Irrigation intervals significantly (P≤0.05) affected root crop yield, root thickness and sugar beet production. The maximum values of root crop yield (65.4 ton/ha) and root thickness (35.2 cm) were obtained under 10 days irrigation interval, while the maximum values of sugar beet production (10 ton/ha) was obtained under 7 days interval. Methods of planting significantly (P≤0.05) affected root crop yield, root thickness, root number/ha, germination ratio, polarization, estimated recovery sugar and sugar beet production. The maximum values of root crop yield (65.2 ton/ha), root number/ha (67375 roots/ha), germination ratio (79.8%) and sugar beet production (9.7 ton/ha) were recorded for the manual planting method, while the maximum values of root thickness (35.6 cm), polarization (18.4%) and estimated recovery sugar (15.8%) were recorded for the mechanical planting method. The combined of irrigation intervals and sowing methods (irrigation intervals 7 days with manual planting methods and irrigation intervals 10 days with mechanical planting methods) resulted in hiegh polarization (18.5, 18.5 %), estimated recovery sugar (16, 16 %) and sugar beet production (10.7, 9.7 ton/ha), respectively, compared to other treatments. Irrigation intervals 10 days with mechanical planting method can be recommended to prevent loss of sugar content in sugar beet roots.

SUST Journal of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (SJAVS), 2021

The high variability of rainfall has serious impacts on food security in the world. Knowledge of ... more The high variability of rainfall has serious impacts on food security in the world. Knowledge of crop water requirement is vital in agriculture for designing and managing irrigation and drainage systems. This research was, therefore, conducted to compare between sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) crop water requirements and effective rainfall and their effect on yield and water productivity. Arfaa Gadamk variety (2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12) under the dry-land farming of Gedaref State during three consecutive seasons was used. Mean annual rainfall (mm), measured within the three rainy seasons, and collected crop data were plant population, plant height at flowering, dry matter, 1000-seeds weight, grain yield and water productivity (kg/m 3). Mean rainfall was 483.7, 568.3 and 284.5 mm while the crop water requirement was 443, 462.5 and 462.4 for season one, two and three, respectively. Result showed that the effective rainfall was below the crop water requirements for the third season. The highest grain yield (7.46.1 kg/ha) for sorghum was produced in season two and lowest (7471 kg/ha) was produced in season three. The highest value of water productivity 0.5 kg/m 3 for sorghum was produced in season one and the lowest 0.45 kg/ m 3 in season three. The main recommendation was the possibility for early sowing date by using of climate forecasts instead of historical data in selecting planting dates. Also, the government and development partners should consider increasing investments in construct and maintain rain-water harvesting (RWH) structures to ensure supplemental irrigation during critical stages.

Drip or Trickle irrigation system is designed to apply precise amount of water near the plant wit... more Drip or Trickle irrigation system is designed to apply precise amount of water near the plant with a certain degree of uniformity. This study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, during March, 2018. The study was aimed to design and evaluate the hydraulic performance of drip emitters including: average discharge (Q avg ), discharge variation (Q var % ), coefficient uniformity (CU %), coefficient of manufacture variation (CV %), distribution uniformity (DU %), statistical uniformity (Us %), clogging (%) wetted diameter (cm) and wetted depth (cm). Three emitters type were used under drip irrigation system namely regular gauges (RG), high compensating pressure (HCP) and low compensating pressure (LCP). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that there were significant differences (P≤0.05) in all tested parameters except clogging, wetted diameter and wetted depth. Discharge variation (Q var % ) values were 12.71, 15.57 and 19.17 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively it consider quite good and found to be within the acceptable range. Results of coefficient of manufacture variation (CV %) were 10.9, 27.8 and 52.7 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively it consider within the unacceptable range except RG type it"s excellent. Statistical uniformity (Us %) values were 89.1, 72.2 and 45.7 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively it consider good, acceptable and unacceptable, respectively. Results of coefficient of coefficient uniformity (CU %) were 91.3, 77.7 and 56.7 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively it consider excellent, fair and unacceptable, respectively. Distribution uniformity (DU %) were 90.2, 67.9 and 36.5 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively it consider excellent, poor and poor, respectively. Thus the study recommended regular gauges (RG) type emitters under the heavy clay soil conditions of the Gezira State, Sudan.

Climate change is one of the most serious environmental and socioeconomic problems of our time es... more Climate change is one of the most serious environmental and socioeconomic problems of our time especially in arid areas. Sudan with the new boarders, most of its land classified as arid and semiarid regions, therefore it is very important to investigate the climate change in these areas. This research aimed to investigate the climate change reality in the arid zone in Sudan using rainfall and temperature data only. Five focal points (Kassala, Wadmedni, Eldouim, Elobied, Elfasher) were selected to represent the whole zone. The climate data of monthly and annual rainfall, minimum and maximum air temperature were obtained from Sudan Meteorological Authority (SMA) during the period from 1980 to 2010. Other climatic factors were calculated and estimated from temperature and rainfall data, such as: Potential Evapotranspiration, Cumulative Rainfall Departure, Effective Rainfall, rainfall coefficient of variance, Aridity Index and Standardized Precipitation Index. The relationship between rainfall and temperature were obtained. The period of this study (1981-2010), was divided into three decades and analyzed the different between each sub-period on rainfall and temperature using Duncan Multiple Range (DMR) at P ≥ 0.05. The trend of annual mean air temperature had been increased with statistically significant evidences in Kassala, Wadmedni, Eldouim and Elfasher stations; where annual rainfall trend had been increased with statistically significant evidences in Elobied station. Regarding other climatic factors: Potential Evapotranspiration trend showed significant increase in Kassala, Wadmedni and Elfasher stations; Cumulative Rainfall Departure trend showed significant increase in Wadmedni, Elobied and Elfasher stations; where Effective Rainfall, rainfall coefficient of variance, Aridity Index and Standardized Precipitation Index trends showed significant increase in Elobied station only. There were negative significant correlation between rainfall and temperature in Kassala and Elobied stations. There were no significant different between the three sub-period in annual rainfall in all stations except in Elobied station, where in mean air temperature showed significant different between the three subperiod in Kassala, Eldouim and Elfasher.

Soil characteristics are important indicators of the potential for agricultural production. This ... more Soil characteristics are important indicators of the potential for agricultural production. This study investigates the direct and residual effects of green and farmyard manures on soil dry bulk density, total porosity, soil moisture percentage, infiltration rate and wheat grain yield of a desert plain soil in Northern Sudan during three successive seasons 2007/08 (direct effect), 2008/09 (direct and residual effects) and 2009/10 (residual effect). Treatments consisted of green manure produced from green gram (Vigna radiate) with two seed rates (0 and 12 kg ha-1), and farmyard manure with two levels (0 and 10 ton ha-1) arranged in a split plot design with three replicates. The results revealed that all studied treatments significantly decreased soil bulk density and infiltration rate (P ≤ 0.01), and increased total soil porosity and soil moisture percentage (P≤0.001), as compared to the control in response to the application of the two types of manures. The results also showed that the direct and residual effects of manures caused significant increase in the wheat grain yield of the desert plain soils. It can be concluded that green and farmyard manures had continuing positively effects on the desert plain soil to produce higher grain yield of wheat. Green manure, therefore, may be used in vast desert plain soils areas as it may pose a solution to the problems of the infertility and unavailability of organic manure and farmyard manure may be useful in small areas in the Northern State of Sudan.

The present study was carried out at Guneid Research Sugar Cane Center during the two seasons of ... more The present study was carried out at Guneid Research Sugar Cane Center during the two seasons of 2014 and 2015.The objective was to investigate the effect of three irrigation intervals 7, 10 and 14 days and two planting methods manual and mechanical on sugar beet crop growth and yield. The parameters measured were germination ratio, root thickness, root number/ha, leaf weight, root crop yield, polarization, estimated recovery sugar and sugar beet production. A split plot design with four replications was used. Irrigation intervals significantly (P≤0.05) affected root crop yield, root thickness and sugar beet production. The maximum values of root crop yield (65.4 ton/ha) and root thickness (35.2 cm) were obtained under 10 days irrigation interval, while the maximum values of sugar beet production (10 ton/ha) was obtained under 7 days interval. Methods of planting significantly (P≤0.05) affected root crop yield, root thickness, root number/ha, germination ratio, polarization, estimated recovery sugar and sugar beet production. The maximum values of root crop yield (65.2 ton/ha), root number/ha (67375 roots/ha), germination ratio (79.8%) and sugar beet production (9.7 ton/ha) were recorded for the manual planting method, while the maximum values of root thickness (35.6 cm), polarization (18.4%) and estimated recovery sugar (15.8%) were recorded for the mechanical planting method. The combined of irrigation intervals and sowing methods (irrigation intervals 7 days with manual planting methods and irrigation intervals 10 days with mechanical planting methods) resulted in hiegh polarization (18.5, 18.5 %), estimated recovery sugar (16, 16 %) and sugar beet production (10.7, 9.7 ton/ha), respectively, compared to other treatments. Irrigation intervals 10 days with mechanical planting method can be recommended to prevent loss of sugar content in sugar beet roots.

This study was conducted at the farms of National Institute of Desert Studies (NIDS) and center p... more This study was conducted at the farms of National Institute of Desert Studies (NIDS) and center pivot systems in New Hamdab Scheme, Northern State, from season 2007/08 to 2009/10. The objectives of this study were to estimate the crop coefficients (K c) of the wheat (Wadi Elneel variety) and faba bean (Selaim variety) and water productivity. Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was calculated using the FAO computer program (CROPWAT). Actual crop evapotranspiration (ET c) was estimated by the gravimetric method. Crop coefficients were derived from the relation between Reference evapotranspiration and actual crop evapotranspiration. The results showed that crop coefficients values for wheat and faba bean were 0.51 and 0.47 for initial stages, 1.26, and 1.15 for the mid stages and then decreased gradually to 0.53 and 0.42 for the late stages respectively. The peak Kc occurred during the period 60 to 70 DAS, coinciding with the maximum ET c of 5.70 and 4.93 mm/day at the mid-season stage for wheat and faba bean, respectively. The crop consumptive water use of wheat and faba bean was 448 mm and 380 mm for the total growing period, respectively. The mean yield of wheat and faba bean, was 854 and 902 kg/fed. The water productivity of wheat and faba bean was 0.21 and 0.21 kg/m 3 respectively.

Article, 2010

This study was carried out during 2009/10, in New Hamdab Research Station Farm, Northern State, S... more This study was carried out during 2009/10, in New Hamdab Research Station Farm, Northern State, Sudan. Soil bulk density was determined with its corresponding soil moisture contents for depths 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm, 40-60 cm, 60-80 cm and 80-100 cm from a soil profile of 120 cm deep using the core method. Correlation between soil bulk density versus each of soil depths (D) and soil moisture contents were made, nevertheless, the bulk density related soil physical properties values in relation to moisture content were also estimated. The results indicated that soil bulk density had a significant linear positive relationship (P ≤ 0.001) with soil depth (r²=0.89), and negatively related to soil moisture content for all the tested depths(r²= 0.99, 0.98, 0.97, 0.58 and 0.98). The values of all related soil physical properties to soil bulk density increased with increasing gravimetric soil moisture content for all depths except for the air filled porosity which decreased. A calculated amount of irrigation water of 1693 m³/ha is needed to irrigate an air dry soil that contains about 5% moisture.

This study was conducted under center pivot irrigation systems at the farm of Authority of Merowe... more This study was conducted under center pivot irrigation systems at the farm of Authority of Merowe Dam Area for Agricultural Development (AMDAD) in New Hamdab Scheme, Northern State, during November, 2011 to December, 2012. The objectives of this study were to assess and evaluate the water productivity of alfalfa under the center pivot irrigation system in desert areas. Operation hours (O.H) and fuel consumption (F.C) were calculated for thirteenth cuts, applied water (AW) was measured using flow meter and then the observed forage yield was sampled and weight in the field in (ton/ha). The results showed that there was a variation in operation hours (hr/ha), applied water (m3/ha) and forage yield (kg/ha), which was affected the water productivity (kg/m3) of alfalfa. The results showed that the water productivity (WP) was 0.46, 0.33, 0.43 and 0.48 kg/ m3 for center pivot number one, two, three and four, respectively. The mean average of water productivity was 0.42 kg/m3. Generally, the...

Paper2 by Hisham Ahmed

WNOFNS 48 (2023) 95-106, 2023

The present study was carried out at Guneid Research Sugar Cane Center during the two seasons of ... more The present study was carried out at Guneid Research Sugar Cane Center during the two seasons of 2014 and 2015.The objective was to investigate the effect of three irrigation intervals 7, 10 and 14 days and two planting methods manual and mechanical on sugar beet crop growth and yield. The parameters measured were germination ratio, root thickness, root number/ha, leaf weight, root crop yield, polarization, estimated recovery sugar and sugar beet production. A split plot design with four replications was used. Irrigation intervals significantly (P≤0.05) affected root crop yield, root thickness and sugar beet production. The maximum values of root crop yield (65.4 ton/ha) and root thickness (35.2 cm) were obtained under 10 days irrigation interval, while the maximum values of sugar beet production (10 ton/ha) was obtained under 7 days interval. Methods of planting significantly (P≤0.05) affected root crop yield, root thickness, root number/ha, germination ratio, polarization, estimated recovery sugar and sugar beet production. The maximum values of root crop yield (65.2 ton/ha), root number/ha (67375 roots/ha), germination ratio (79.8%) and sugar beet production (9.7 ton/ha) were recorded for the manual planting method, while the maximum values of root thickness (35.6 cm), polarization (18.4%) and estimated recovery sugar (15.8%) were recorded for the mechanical planting method. The combined of irrigation intervals and sowing methods (irrigation intervals 7 days with manual planting methods and irrigation intervals 10 days with mechanical planting methods) resulted in hiegh polarization (18.5, 18.5 %), estimated recovery sugar (16, 16 %) and sugar beet production (10.7, 9.7 ton/ha), respectively, compared to other treatments. Irrigation intervals 10 days with mechanical planting method can be recommended to prevent loss of sugar content in sugar beet roots.

SUST Journal of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (SJAVS), 2021

The high variability of rainfall has serious impacts on food security in the world. Knowledge of ... more The high variability of rainfall has serious impacts on food security in the world. Knowledge of crop water requirement is vital in agriculture for designing and managing irrigation and drainage systems. This research was, therefore, conducted to compare between sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) crop water requirements and effective rainfall and their effect on yield and water productivity. Arfaa Gadamk variety (2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12) under the dry-land farming of Gedaref State during three consecutive seasons was used. Mean annual rainfall (mm), measured within the three rainy seasons, and collected crop data were plant population, plant height at flowering, dry matter, 1000-seeds weight, grain yield and water productivity (kg/m 3). Mean rainfall was 483.7, 568.3 and 284.5 mm while the crop water requirement was 443, 462.5 and 462.4 for season one, two and three, respectively. Result showed that the effective rainfall was below the crop water requirements for the third season. The highest grain yield (7.46.1 kg/ha) for sorghum was produced in season two and lowest (7471 kg/ha) was produced in season three. The highest value of water productivity 0.5 kg/m 3 for sorghum was produced in season one and the lowest 0.45 kg/ m 3 in season three. The main recommendation was the possibility for early sowing date by using of climate forecasts instead of historical data in selecting planting dates. Also, the government and development partners should consider increasing investments in construct and maintain rain-water harvesting (RWH) structures to ensure supplemental irrigation during critical stages.

Drip or Trickle irrigation system is designed to apply precise amount of water near the plant wit... more Drip or Trickle irrigation system is designed to apply precise amount of water near the plant with a certain degree of uniformity. This study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, during March, 2018. The study was aimed to design and evaluate the hydraulic performance of drip emitters including: average discharge (Q avg ), discharge variation (Q var % ), coefficient uniformity (CU %), coefficient of manufacture variation (CV %), distribution uniformity (DU %), statistical uniformity (Us %), clogging (%) wetted diameter (cm) and wetted depth (cm). Three emitters type were used under drip irrigation system namely regular gauges (RG), high compensating pressure (HCP) and low compensating pressure (LCP). The treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that there were significant differences (P≤0.05) in all tested parameters except clogging, wetted diameter and wetted depth. Discharge variation (Q var % ) values were 12.71, 15.57 and 19.17 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively it consider quite good and found to be within the acceptable range. Results of coefficient of manufacture variation (CV %) were 10.9, 27.8 and 52.7 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively it consider within the unacceptable range except RG type it"s excellent. Statistical uniformity (Us %) values were 89.1, 72.2 and 45.7 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively it consider good, acceptable and unacceptable, respectively. Results of coefficient of coefficient uniformity (CU %) were 91.3, 77.7 and 56.7 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively it consider excellent, fair and unacceptable, respectively. Distribution uniformity (DU %) were 90.2, 67.9 and 36.5 for RG, LCP and HCP, respectively it consider excellent, poor and poor, respectively. Thus the study recommended regular gauges (RG) type emitters under the heavy clay soil conditions of the Gezira State, Sudan.

Climate change is one of the most serious environmental and socioeconomic problems of our time es... more Climate change is one of the most serious environmental and socioeconomic problems of our time especially in arid areas. Sudan with the new boarders, most of its land classified as arid and semiarid regions, therefore it is very important to investigate the climate change in these areas. This research aimed to investigate the climate change reality in the arid zone in Sudan using rainfall and temperature data only. Five focal points (Kassala, Wadmedni, Eldouim, Elobied, Elfasher) were selected to represent the whole zone. The climate data of monthly and annual rainfall, minimum and maximum air temperature were obtained from Sudan Meteorological Authority (SMA) during the period from 1980 to 2010. Other climatic factors were calculated and estimated from temperature and rainfall data, such as: Potential Evapotranspiration, Cumulative Rainfall Departure, Effective Rainfall, rainfall coefficient of variance, Aridity Index and Standardized Precipitation Index. The relationship between rainfall and temperature were obtained. The period of this study (1981-2010), was divided into three decades and analyzed the different between each sub-period on rainfall and temperature using Duncan Multiple Range (DMR) at P ≥ 0.05. The trend of annual mean air temperature had been increased with statistically significant evidences in Kassala, Wadmedni, Eldouim and Elfasher stations; where annual rainfall trend had been increased with statistically significant evidences in Elobied station. Regarding other climatic factors: Potential Evapotranspiration trend showed significant increase in Kassala, Wadmedni and Elfasher stations; Cumulative Rainfall Departure trend showed significant increase in Wadmedni, Elobied and Elfasher stations; where Effective Rainfall, rainfall coefficient of variance, Aridity Index and Standardized Precipitation Index trends showed significant increase in Elobied station only. There were negative significant correlation between rainfall and temperature in Kassala and Elobied stations. There were no significant different between the three sub-period in annual rainfall in all stations except in Elobied station, where in mean air temperature showed significant different between the three subperiod in Kassala, Eldouim and Elfasher.

Soil characteristics are important indicators of the potential for agricultural production. This ... more Soil characteristics are important indicators of the potential for agricultural production. This study investigates the direct and residual effects of green and farmyard manures on soil dry bulk density, total porosity, soil moisture percentage, infiltration rate and wheat grain yield of a desert plain soil in Northern Sudan during three successive seasons 2007/08 (direct effect), 2008/09 (direct and residual effects) and 2009/10 (residual effect). Treatments consisted of green manure produced from green gram (Vigna radiate) with two seed rates (0 and 12 kg ha-1), and farmyard manure with two levels (0 and 10 ton ha-1) arranged in a split plot design with three replicates. The results revealed that all studied treatments significantly decreased soil bulk density and infiltration rate (P ≤ 0.01), and increased total soil porosity and soil moisture percentage (P≤0.001), as compared to the control in response to the application of the two types of manures. The results also showed that the direct and residual effects of manures caused significant increase in the wheat grain yield of the desert plain soils. It can be concluded that green and farmyard manures had continuing positively effects on the desert plain soil to produce higher grain yield of wheat. Green manure, therefore, may be used in vast desert plain soils areas as it may pose a solution to the problems of the infertility and unavailability of organic manure and farmyard manure may be useful in small areas in the Northern State of Sudan.

The present study was carried out at Guneid Research Sugar Cane Center during the two seasons of ... more The present study was carried out at Guneid Research Sugar Cane Center during the two seasons of 2014 and 2015.The objective was to investigate the effect of three irrigation intervals 7, 10 and 14 days and two planting methods manual and mechanical on sugar beet crop growth and yield. The parameters measured were germination ratio, root thickness, root number/ha, leaf weight, root crop yield, polarization, estimated recovery sugar and sugar beet production. A split plot design with four replications was used. Irrigation intervals significantly (P≤0.05) affected root crop yield, root thickness and sugar beet production. The maximum values of root crop yield (65.4 ton/ha) and root thickness (35.2 cm) were obtained under 10 days irrigation interval, while the maximum values of sugar beet production (10 ton/ha) was obtained under 7 days interval. Methods of planting significantly (P≤0.05) affected root crop yield, root thickness, root number/ha, germination ratio, polarization, estimated recovery sugar and sugar beet production. The maximum values of root crop yield (65.2 ton/ha), root number/ha (67375 roots/ha), germination ratio (79.8%) and sugar beet production (9.7 ton/ha) were recorded for the manual planting method, while the maximum values of root thickness (35.6 cm), polarization (18.4%) and estimated recovery sugar (15.8%) were recorded for the mechanical planting method. The combined of irrigation intervals and sowing methods (irrigation intervals 7 days with manual planting methods and irrigation intervals 10 days with mechanical planting methods) resulted in hiegh polarization (18.5, 18.5 %), estimated recovery sugar (16, 16 %) and sugar beet production (10.7, 9.7 ton/ha), respectively, compared to other treatments. Irrigation intervals 10 days with mechanical planting method can be recommended to prevent loss of sugar content in sugar beet roots.

This study was conducted at the farms of National Institute of Desert Studies (NIDS) and center p... more This study was conducted at the farms of National Institute of Desert Studies (NIDS) and center pivot systems in New Hamdab Scheme, Northern State, from season 2007/08 to 2009/10. The objectives of this study were to estimate the crop coefficients (K c) of the wheat (Wadi Elneel variety) and faba bean (Selaim variety) and water productivity. Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was calculated using the FAO computer program (CROPWAT). Actual crop evapotranspiration (ET c) was estimated by the gravimetric method. Crop coefficients were derived from the relation between Reference evapotranspiration and actual crop evapotranspiration. The results showed that crop coefficients values for wheat and faba bean were 0.51 and 0.47 for initial stages, 1.26, and 1.15 for the mid stages and then decreased gradually to 0.53 and 0.42 for the late stages respectively. The peak Kc occurred during the period 60 to 70 DAS, coinciding with the maximum ET c of 5.70 and 4.93 mm/day at the mid-season stage for wheat and faba bean, respectively. The crop consumptive water use of wheat and faba bean was 448 mm and 380 mm for the total growing period, respectively. The mean yield of wheat and faba bean, was 854 and 902 kg/fed. The water productivity of wheat and faba bean was 0.21 and 0.21 kg/m 3 respectively.

Article, 2010

This study was carried out during 2009/10, in New Hamdab Research Station Farm, Northern State, S... more This study was carried out during 2009/10, in New Hamdab Research Station Farm, Northern State, Sudan. Soil bulk density was determined with its corresponding soil moisture contents for depths 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm, 40-60 cm, 60-80 cm and 80-100 cm from a soil profile of 120 cm deep using the core method. Correlation between soil bulk density versus each of soil depths (D) and soil moisture contents were made, nevertheless, the bulk density related soil physical properties values in relation to moisture content were also estimated. The results indicated that soil bulk density had a significant linear positive relationship (P ≤ 0.001) with soil depth (r²=0.89), and negatively related to soil moisture content for all the tested depths(r²= 0.99, 0.98, 0.97, 0.58 and 0.98). The values of all related soil physical properties to soil bulk density increased with increasing gravimetric soil moisture content for all depths except for the air filled porosity which decreased. A calculated amount of irrigation water of 1693 m³/ha is needed to irrigate an air dry soil that contains about 5% moisture.

This study was conducted under center pivot irrigation systems at the farm of Authority of Merowe... more This study was conducted under center pivot irrigation systems at the farm of Authority of Merowe Dam Area for Agricultural Development (AMDAD) in New Hamdab Scheme, Northern State, during November, 2011 to December, 2012. The objectives of this study were to assess and evaluate the water productivity of alfalfa under the center pivot irrigation system in desert areas. Operation hours (O.H) and fuel consumption (F.C) were calculated for thirteenth cuts, applied water (AW) was measured using flow meter and then the observed forage yield was sampled and weight in the field in (ton/ha). The results showed that there was a variation in operation hours (hr/ha), applied water (m3/ha) and forage yield (kg/ha), which was affected the water productivity (kg/m3) of alfalfa. The results showed that the water productivity (WP) was 0.46, 0.33, 0.43 and 0.48 kg/ m3 for center pivot number one, two, three and four, respectively. The mean average of water productivity was 0.42 kg/m3. Generally, the...